Mother, doctors call on N.L. government to expand coverage of RSV shots to all infants – CBC

N.L. is one of four provinces that only provide coverage for high-risk infants

Feb 17, 2026

When Michelle Pratt’s twin sons were born prematurely at 32 weeks and four days, she was eager to make sure they wouldn’t get sick — including from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

RSV is a common, highly-contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. It can quickly become dangerous for infants, leading to hospitalization and — in rare cases — death.

“As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your children,” said Pratt.

“Just last year, we had two close friends and their children [who] were hospitalized for RSV. So, it’s a very common occurrence.”

Pratt is a dermatologist in St. John’s. She did a deep dive into medical research during her pregnancy, looking at guidance from national expert groups, such as the Canadian Pediatric Society, as well as the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/rsv-antibody-coverage-nl-9.7093007