Episode Description RSV prevention has entered its “more options, more questions” era. 👶🦠 In Part 1, infectious disease specialist Dr. Zain Chagla returns to the FindMyVaccine Podcast to help sort through what Canadian clinicians actually need to know about protecting infants from RSV. First up: who is really at risk? Spoiler—the answer is not just premature or medically fragile babies. Dr. Chagla explains why otherwise healthy, full-term infants can still end up hospitalized with RSV, why those first few months of life matter so much, and how to communicate that risk to families without turning counselling into a horror movie. We then tackle the updated NACI guidance and the increasingly important choice between maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies. Who should receive what? When does maternal vaccination leave an infant needing additional protection? And which higher-risk babies deserve a particularly proactive plan? Then comes the immunology—minus the painful lecture. Dr. Chagla explains why monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines, how passive immunization essentially gives infants ready-made RSV-fighting antibodies, and why newer long-acting options have changed the game from repeated injections to protection that can potentially cover much of an RSV season. And because percentages alone rarely tell the whole story, we dig into the evidence: pivotal trials, hospitalization outcomes, absolute risk reduction, high-risk infant data, and why comparing one RSV monoclonal antibody trial directly with another can get scientifically… messy. Bottom line: RSV prevention is no longer simply about knowing that options exist. It is about knowing which option, for which infant, at which time. Class is officially in session. 🎙️ Learning Objectives By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to: Describe the clinical burden of RSV in infants and explain why severe disease can occur even in previously healthy, full-term babies. Interpret updated Canadian RSV prevention guidance, including the respective roles of maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibodies. Identify infants who may warrant a more proactive monoclonal antibody strategy, including those with prematurity, cardiopulmonary disease, immunodeficiency, other medical risk factors, or barriers to timely healthcare access. Explain the difference between vaccination and passive immunization, including how long-acting monoclonal antibodies provide immediate protection against RSV. Translate RSV clinical trial results into practical clinical meaning, including relative efficacy, absolute reductions in hospitalization, and important limitations when comparing evidence across trials. Apply seasonality and local RSV surveillance when considering the timing of infant prevention strategies. #FindMyVaccine #RSV #RSVPrevention #InfantHealth #MonoclonalAntibodies #MaternalVaccination #PassiveImmunization #NACI #Pediatrics #InfectiousDiseases #VaccineEducation #PublicHealth #CanadianHealthcare Supported by an IME Grant from Merck
RSV prevention has entered its “more options, more questions” era. 👶🦠
In Part 1, infectious disease specialist Dr. Zain Chagla returns to the FindMyVaccine Podcast to help sort through what Canadian clinicians actually need to know about protecting infants from RSV.
First up: who is really at risk? Spoiler—the answer is not just premature or medically fragile babies. Dr. Chagla explains why otherwise healthy, full-term infants can still end up hospitalized with RSV, why those first few months of life matter so much, and how to communicate that risk to families without turning counselling into a horror movie.
We then tackle the updated NACI guidance and the increasingly important choice between maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies. Who should receive what? When does maternal vaccination leave an infant needing additional protection? And which higher-risk babies deserve a particularly proactive plan?
Then comes the immunology—minus the painful lecture.
Dr. Chagla explains why monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines, how passive immunization essentially gives infants ready-made RSV-fighting antibodies, and why newer long-acting options have changed the game from repeated injections to protection that can potentially cover much of an RSV season.
And because percentages alone rarely tell the whole story, we dig into the evidence: pivotal trials, hospitalization outcomes, absolute risk reduction, high-risk infant data, and why comparing one RSV monoclonal antibody trial directly with another can get scientifically… messy.
Bottom line: RSV prevention is no longer simply about knowing that options exist. It is about knowing which option, for which infant, at which time.
Class is officially in session. 🎙️
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:
#FindMyVaccine #RSV #RSVPrevention #InfantHealth #MonoclonalAntibodies #MaternalVaccination #PassiveImmunization #NACI #Pediatrics #InfectiousDiseases #PublicHealth #CanadianHealthcare
Supported by an IME Grant from Merck
Dr.Zain Chagla, MD MSc MD, FRCPC is an associate professor at McMaster University, co-medical director of infection control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a consultant in infection control at Woodstock General Hospital. Dr. Chagla is also a teacher at McMaster University where he won a clinician teaching award in internal medicine and a young investigator grant for his work in supporting undergraduate medical education at the University of Namibia.
Dr. Chagla also has a Master of Science in infectious diseases and a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
As an infectious disease specialist, Dr.Zain Chagla has given media interviews on the COVID-19 pandemic and published several op-eds on testing, disease elimination, and public health interventions. He has contributed to local, provincial, and federal policy planning, and to several clinical trials on COVID-19 therapies. He has published works on COVID-19 research, epidemiology, testing, and infection control. He is involved with a prospective cohort study looking at respiratory physiology and radiologic features of patients post covid with persistent symptoms over time, including those with long covid and those who were critically ill.