State Council Urges Mandatory RSV Vaccination for Newborns

A seasonal infection that causes only a few weeks of runny nose in adults can lead to intensive care for infants. The State Council on Immunization has demanded urgent steps to protect newborns from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), recommending that vaccination be made mandatory and funded by the state, as reported by LSM's program "Обсудим вечером".

The council emphasized that RSV poses a serious risk to newborns, particularly in the first months of life. While symptoms in adults are typically mild, infants can develop severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization and even causing death. Currently, vaccination is not mandatory, and not all children receive it. The council's recommendation would need government approval to ensure all newborns are protected regardless of family financial status.

The program highlighted the need for immediate action, as many children are hospitalized each season with RSV complications. Experts believe that state-funded vaccination is the most effective way to reduce morbidity and mortality among infants.