Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in Ohio typically begins in the fall and extends into the early spring. As a result of factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, RSV season shifted in 2021, with high community spread beginning in June and persisting through November. This year may follow a similar pattern as the Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s lab is detecting more cases of RSV.

Palivizumab (Synagis®) is an intramuscular-delivered monoclonal antibody approved for infants at high risk for severe RSV infection. To be effective, palivizumab should be administered each month when RSV rates are highest in the community. A team of infectious disease doctors, neonatologists and pharmacists are reviewing the data weekly to determine when it may become appropriate to start administering palivizumab. We will keep you updated on if and when this recommendation is made ahead of the typical RSV season (i.e. November to March).  Click here to view more resources in preparation for RSV season.