Some Nova Scotia parents are speaking out about their difficulties getting their young children vaccinated with newly authorized vaccines intended to protect infants against RSV.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common but highly contagious respiratory infection that usually causes cold-like symptoms. But for more vulnerable populations – including infants, the elderly, or those with respiratory or heart problems – RSV can lead to more serious illness, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, and possible hospitalization.

Quebec And Ontario have begun rolling out a vaccination program for infants using two monoclonal antibody products — a recently approved option called nirsevimab and an older one called palivizumab — containing lab-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s natural defenses.

But the situation is very different in Nova Scotia.

“At this point, it doesn’t look like we’re going to get this vaccine,” Hannah Markham said. “At least (not) anytime soon.”

Markham, a nurse practitioner with a three-month-old, said she tried several ways to get her child vaccinated. She first contacted public health and was referred to the IWK Health Centre.

Officials told him RSV vaccines were only available in Nova Scotia for high-risk infants and pregnant people.

She also contacted pharmacies in Halifax and even the pharmaceutical company that produces one of the vaccines.

His efforts were not rewarded.

“I’m not sure where to go from here,” she said.

Kathleen Smith encountered similar problems when trying to get her child vaccinated through provincial means or purchasing the vaccine privately. She said not being able to access potential protection for her six-month-old child was disappointing.

“We’re entering this cold and flu season and it seems, from what I’ve heard, that we’ve been reporting that our RSV rates are increasing,” Smith said.

“Knowing that this is something that has been shown to be very effective and is available elsewhere in the country but is not available here, it’s really unfortunate.”

No public RSV vaccination program for infants, officials say

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization issued a statement in May recommending that the Canadian health system move toward a universal RSV vaccination program for infants.

Currently, there is no universally available, publicly funded RSV vaccination program for all infants in Nova Scotia. The IWK, however, offers protection against RSV to high-risk infants.

That’s according to Amanda Silliker, communications advisor for the provincial Department of Health and Wellness.

In a statement to CBC News, Silliker said the ministry is aware of the public interest in monoclonal antibodies.

“Public Health is reviewing the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and exploring the possibility of offering RSV protection to infants in the future,” Silliker said.

She said a number of factors are considered for a publicly funded vaccination program, including disease burden, population health benefits and vaccine supply.

Next month, RSV vaccines will be available to Nova Scotians aged 60 and older living in licensed long-term care facilities, as well as to hospitalized patients of that age who are about to be placed in long-term care facilities.