FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force
Dr. Shelley Ross (left) and Dr. Vivien Brown (right)
Co-chairs of the FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force
In the Spring of 2024, the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) convened a Maternal RSV Task Force and developed a white paper with actionable recommendations to prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease in infants during the 2024 – 2025 RSV season.
The recommendations in the white paper serve as a call to action for healthcare providers, the public and policymakers to:
- Protect infants from RSV-associated morbidity and mortality
- Reduce the strain of RSV illness on Canadian healthcare systems and society
- Alleviate the psychological trauma families endure when caring for an infant with RSV
The FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force aims to inspire action and equip healthcare providers, pregnant women, pregnant people and parents with the knowledge required for informed, shared decision-making on how to best protect newborns from RSV disease for the 2024 – 2025 RSV season.
The recommendations in the white paper serve as a call to action for healthcare providers, the public and policymakers to:
- Protect infants from RSV-associated morbidity and mortality
- Reduce the strain of RSV illness on Canadian healthcare systems and society
- Alleviate the psychological trauma families endure when caring for an infant with RSV
The FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force aims to inspire action and equip healthcare providers, pregnant women, pregnant people and parents with the knowledge required for informed, shared decision-making on how to best protect newborns from RSV disease for the 2024 – 2025 RSV season.
What does the FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force recommend?
Education
to address knowledge gaps among healthcare providers about available options for infant protection from RSV disease
Communication
about the efficacy, safety, availability and benefits of immunizations to protect against RSV disease in infants
Awareness
among healthcare providers, pregnant women and pregnant people, the public and policymakers about the burden of RSV disease in infants and the available protective options
What does the FMWC Maternal RSV Task Force recommend?
Awareness
among healthcare providers, pregnant women and pregnant people, the public and policymakers about the burden of RSV disease in infants and the available protective options
Communication
about the efficacy, safety, availability and benefits of immunizations to protect against RSV disease in infants
Education
to address knowledge gaps among healthcare providers about available options for infant protection from RSV disease
Informed, Shared Decision-Making
Our recommendations call for clear and consistent educational messaging for providers and their patients to allow for informed, shared decision-making so each pregnant woman and pregnant person is empowered to make the best choice to protect their baby from RSV disease.
Take Action Now to protect infants this RSV season!
Trusted pregnancy care providers should dispel misinformation, explain benefits and risks, and inform and empower patients for shared decision-making.
We need to we act now to educate, communicate and increase awareness on the available choices to protect infants from RSV disease this RSV season.
Informed, Shared Decision-Making
Our recommendations call for clear and consistent educational messaging for providers and their patients to allow for informed, shared decision-making so each pregnant woman and pregnant person is empowered to make the best choice to protect their baby from RSV disease.
Take Action Now to protect infants this RSV season!
- Trusted pregnancy care providers should dispel misinformation, explain benefits and risks, and inform and empower patients for shared decision-making.
We need to we act now to educate, communicate and increase awareness on the available choices to protect infants from RSV disease this RSV season.
