Beyfortus Significantly Reduces RSV Hospitalizations Among Swedish Newborns

Sweden has seen a marked decrease in infant hospitalizations due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this season, coinciding with the nationwide introduction of the preventive treatment Beyfortus for newborns. Since September 2025, Beyfortus has been offered to all newborns, providing six months of immunity against RSV. Approximately 80% of parents have accepted the treatment, contributing to a significant drop in severe RSV cases requiring hospital care.

At Astrid Lindgren's Children's Hospital in Stockholm, only four to five infants were admitted in January, with around 30 hospitalizations since the season began in November—a notable reduction compared to previous years. Dr. Malin Ryd Rinder, a leading pediatrician at the hospital, hailed the preventive measure as a success but cautioned that the RSV season, which typically lasts until April, is not over. Most hospitalized infants had either not received Beyfortus or were born before its availability.

Dr. Erik Sturegård, an epidemiologist from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, remarked that while RSV cases increased from 97 to 148 since the holiday period, it is still early in the season to fully assess Beyfortus's impact. Besides Beyfortus, maternal vaccination remains another avenue to protect infants against RSV. Overall, the preventive treatment has alleviated pressure on pediatric healthcare during a demanding winter with multiple infections circulating simultaneously.