HUS offers antibody to newborns to prevent RSV disease
The Helsinki-Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS) has taken an initiative to prevent RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) decease among the infants and vulnerable children.
The authority on Monday started immunization with the antibody to newborns in all its maternity hospitals, said an official press release.
RSV 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.
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.
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 has already been used in Finland for two winter seasons, and the results have been excellent like 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.
17.8.2026. 15:02:49