Doha: The Ministry of Public Health has renewed its call for greater awareness of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), stressing that the virus is not merely a seasonal cold for young children but a potentially serious respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia and severe breathing difficulties, particularly among infants.

In a recent social media awareness campaign, the ministry emphasised that family health begins with prevention, noting that the RSV vaccine offers early and comprehensive protection for both mothers and newborns. The vaccine is currently available free of charge at Primary Health Care Corporation centres and Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals across Qatar. Pregnant women are advised to receive the RSV vaccine between weeks 28 and 36 of pregnancy, allowing protective antibodies to pass to the baby before birth and helping safeguard newborns during their most vulnerable early months.

RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through direct contact with contaminated surfaces. The World Health Organisation estimates that RSV causes millions of respiratory infections among children under five globally each year and remains one of the leading causes of hospitalisation among infants. Nearly all children are infected with RSV at least once before the age of two.

The ministry has stated that the RSV vaccine has been approved by international health organisations due to its proven effectiveness and strong safety profile, especially for high-risk groups. Qatar has incorporated the vaccine into its national preventive healthcare efforts as part of broader initiatives aimed at reducing the spread of infectious diseases and strengthening community health protection.

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