Why it matters: Utah now ranks #1 nationally for protecting infants from RSV, following a coordinated education campaign by Intermountain Children’s Health that helped thousands of families access new immunizations.
By the numbers:
According to data from Intermountain Children’s Health:
- 16,000 Utah infants received RSV protection in the 2024-2025 RSV season
- Hospitalization rates dropped from 1 in 48 to 1 in 400 for protected babies
- ICU admissions fell from 1 in 200 to fewer than 1 in 1,000
- Twice as many expectant mothers chose RSV protection this year compared to last
The big picture: RSV is a common respiratory virus that can be especially dangerous for newborns, often leading to bronchiolitis that makes breathing and feeding difficult.
- The virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets and can survive on surfaces for hours
- Before immunization, RSV season meant hospitals were overflowing with respiratory admissions
- This year and last, the burden has dramatically decreased
How it works: Two prevention options are now available:
- Pregnant mothers can receive an immunization in their third trimester, passing protection to their baby before birth
- Newborns can receive an immunoglobulin injection during their well-baby visit
What they’re saying: “We’re uniquely positioned because of the options for both mothers and newborn babies that we can get almost 100% protection for babies in our communities,” said Dr. Per Gesteland, pediatric hospitalist and medical director of acute care services for Intermountain Children’s Health.
“When you think about that from a family’s perspective, that’s a family that gets to keep their baby, have them well at home and talk about the expense for a family as well. That really helps them with not having that health care expense for hospitalization,” said Carolyn Reynolds, Executive Director of Intermountain Children’s Health-Ambulatory Clinical Program.
The bottom line: System-wide prevention efforts can protect vulnerable populations while significantly reducing hospital burden — and Utah’s success provides a model for other states.
What’s next: If you have an infant in their first year of life who hasn’t been immunized, contact your pediatrician about getting RSV protection.