Prevention of RSV disease in babies starts again at HUS hospitals
17.8.2026 12:41:41 EEST | HUS | Press release
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the most common cause of respiratory infections leading to infant hospitalization. For the third time, HUS offers an antibody developed against the RS virus to infants and children under 12 months old who are at risk of severe RSV infection.
HUS will offer the antibody to newborns in all its maternity hospitals from August 17, 2026. In addition, children under the age of 12 months who are at risk for a severe RSV disease will be offered the antibody at HUS New Children's Hospital, Jorvi Hospital, and Hyvinkää Hospital when they visit specialized healthcare.
The aim is to prevent the majority of severe illnesses and infant hospitalizations caused by RSV. Immunization with the antibody is voluntary and free of charge for families.
The antibody is effective at preventing RSV infections: reduces infant hospitalization
The antibody can be administered even to newborns. The antibody provides effective protection against RSV for the entire winter epidemic. The product is very safe.
The antibody has already been used in Finland for two winter seasons, and the results have been excellent, as they have been in other countries where the antibody has been introduced. At HUS, around 90% of families have opted to have their child receive the antibody.
The antibody reduces the severity of RSV symptoms so significantly that severe cases of RSV in infants nearly disappear. Thanks to the antibody, the number of infant hospitalization days due to RSV reduced by 90% at HUS hospitals.
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Contacts
Neonatologist, Assistant Professor Samuli Rautava, tel. 040 610 6577, samuli.rautava@hus.fi
HUS Children and Adolescents
About HUS
HUS Helsinki University Hospital is the biggest provider of specialized healthcare in Finland. Our high expertise is internationally recognized and accredited. As a university hospital, we are on the cutting edge of developing and evaluating our treatment methods and activities.
HUS treats 700,000 patients every year. Our 26,500 professionals work to provide the best possible care for our patients. We are responsible for organizing specialized health care in the Uusimaa region. The treatment of many rare and difficult diseases in Finland has been centralized to HUS as well.
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