N.S. parents dismayed by lack of access to new RSV vaccines for infants

Some Nova Scotia parents are speaking out about their struggles to get their young children immunized with newly authorized vaccines meant to protect infants from RSV.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common but highly contagious respiratory infection that typically causes cold-like symptoms. But for more vulnerable populations — including infants, older adults or those with respiratory or cardiac conditions — RSV can lead to more severe illness, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, and potential hospitalization.

Quebec and Ontario have begun rolling out a vaccination program for infants using two monoclonal antibody products — a recently approved option called nirsevimab and an older one called palivizumab — containing laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system's natural defences.

But the situation is much different in Nova Scotia.

"At this point, it doesn't seem like we're going to be getting this vaccine," said Hannah Markham. "At least [not] any time soon."

Markham, a nurse practitioner with a three-month-old, said she's tried several avenues to get her child vaccinated. She started by reaching out to Public Health and was directed to the IWK Health Centre.

Officials there told her RSV vaccines are available in Nova Scotia only for high-risk infants and for people who are pregnant.

She also contacted pharmacies across Halifax and even the pharmaceutical company that produces one of the vaccines.

Her efforts have not been rewarded.

"I'm not sure where to go from here," she said.

Kathleen Smith has had similar issues trying to get her child vaccinated through provincial means or by buying the vaccine privately. She said not being able to access potential protection for her six-month-old has been disappointing.

"We're going into this cold and flu season and it seems, as far as I've heard, we've reported that our RSV rates are climbing," Smith said.

"Knowing that this is something that's been shown to be really effective and is available elsewhere in the country but isn't available here, it's just really unfortunate."

No publicly funded RSV vaccine program for infants, officials say

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization released a statement in May recommending the Canadian health-care system move toward a universal RSV immunization program for infants.

Right now, there is no universally available, publicly funded RSV vaccine program for all infants in Nova Scotia. The IWK does, however, offer RSV protection for high-risk infants.

That's according to Amanda Silliker, a communications adviser for the provincial Department of Health and Wellness.

In a statement to CBC News, Silliker said the department is aware that there is public interest in monoclonal antibodies.

"Public Health is reviewing [the] National Advisory Committee on Immunization's recommendations and exploring the possibility of offering protection against RSV for infants in the future," Silliker said.

She said a number of factors are considered for a publicly funded immunization program, including disease burden, population health benefits and vaccine supply.

Next month, RSV vaccines will be available to Nova Scotians 60 and older living in licensed long-term care facilities, and to hospital inpatients of that age who are about to be placed in long-term care.