Introduction

In Vancouver, a mother is raising alarms regarding the provincial immunization strategy after her premature baby, Georgia, born at just 25 weeks, was denied an essential vaccine that could safeguard her from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Background

Georgia spent a harrowing 110 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after her birth in January, and her medical team had warned Lauren Colborne, her mother, of the dire consequences of RSV, which can be fatal for vulnerable infants. RSV is highly contagious and remains the leading cause of hospitalization in infants across Canada.

Current Situation

As the RSV season looms, which typically runs from November to March, Georgia’s pediatrician submitted an application to the Provincial Health Services Authority for the antibody shot, nirsevimab—a therapy proven effective in drastically reducing hospitalizations due to RSV by over 80%. Unlike other provinces like Ontario and Quebec, which are offering nirsevimab to all newborns this fall, British Columbia continues to provide a less effective treatment, palivizumab, but only to select high-risk infants based on a point-based eligibility system.

Mother's Frustration

Colborne’s application was denied, leaving her puzzled and frustrated. “Did B.C. not order enough? Do they not have enough to go around?” she questioned. Despite being medically frail—having been born prematurely, weighing only one kilogram—Georgia's application was rejected without clear explanation.

Severe Impacts of RSV

According to The Journal of Infectious Diseases, RSV is not just a cold; the impacts can be severe, leading to pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and even brain damage in 40% of children under two who contract the virus. Knowing that her child is at significant risk, Colborne expressed her distress, asking, “How sick of a baby do you need to be to get this vaccine?”

Unique Circumstances

Georgia missed the automatic approval cutoff date for vaccination by just one week, and her application fell short of the score needed to qualify due to factors that didn’t consider her unique circumstances. She won’t be attending daycare, which could have increased her risk assessment score considerably; however, her family dynamics pose additional risks, as her father interacts with numerous individuals weekly due to his job as a commercial pilot.

Seeking Solutions

In the wake of mounting pressure, Colborne has reached out tirelessly to various health authorities, even willing to pay for the vaccine herself. However, she encountered barriers, including regulations preventing her from accessing the treatment in other provinces or procuring it outright.

Health Canada Recommendations

Health Canada has recommended nirsevimab as the “preferred” immunization, yet B.C.’s limited program, which still relies on outdated guidelines, leaves vulnerable infants like Georgia in jeopardy. Colborne lamented, “She was born in the wrong province, at the wrong time,” highlighting her frustrations with a system that fails to account for the complexities of premature infant care.

Call for Reform

As awareness of RSV and its devastating potential for premature infants grows, advocates and concerned parents push for reforms in immunization policies, urging a reevaluation of practices that could save vulnerable lives.