An infant vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is now accessible in Canada, but most parents in British Columbia still have to pay a high price out of pocket for it. Dr. Patrick Hemmons, a family physician from northern B.C., had to venture to Seattle last year to purchase a dose of nirsevimab for his premature daughter. He expresses relief that others won’t need to go to such lengths to obtain the antibody.
According to Hemmons and various parents and physicians, the desire is not just for the vaccine to be available to all infants but for it to be provided free of charge. Nirsevimab, approved by Health Canada in April 2023, is recommended for all infants during their first RSV season in the fall and winter. The vaccine, known as Beyfortus and produced by AstraZeneca, is distributed in Canada by Sanofi, with prices ranging from $800 to $900.
While most of Canada has a publicly funded RSV program offering nirsevimab at no cost to all babies, British Columbia, Alberta, and New Brunswick are exceptions. In B.C., coverage is limited to high-risk infants and those born in specific remote areas. Hemmons shares that despite his daughter being born premature, she did not meet the high-risk criteria for immunization.
RSV typically causes mild cold symptoms but can result in severe illness in vulnerable populations like elderly adults and newborns. A recent study from the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine revealed that infants under six months accounted for nearly 45% of all RSV-related hospital admissions in Canada, incurring around 50% of the total annual costs.
Katrina Bellavance, a mother from Calgary, recounts her experience when her youngest daughter, Maxine, was hospitalized for four days due to RSV in February 2023. She emphasizes the importance of having the antibody treatment available, especially for premature babies, to prevent hospitalizations and reduce stress for families.
In 2024, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended prioritizing coverage for high-risk infants due to the high cost of nirsevimab. However, they also suggested working towards implementing a universal RSV immunization program for all infants.
Provinces have the authority to decide whether to cover medication costs. The B.C. Ministry of Health reviews immunization coverage eligibility annually, with 4,000 doses of nirsevimab allocated for high-risk infants for the upcoming respiratory illness season. Children not meeting the criteria can purchase the antibody privately, subject to product availability.
Dr. Katharine Smart, a pediatrician and former president of the Canadian Medical Association, anticipates changes in coverage eligibility, considering the economic impact of RSV illness on infants without risk factors. She emphasizes the need for increased awareness and accessibility of nirsevimab to ensure all babies can benefit from the vaccine.
