RSV season in Colorado typically begins in late October, with peak hospitalizations in December and January. That puts the start of this season roughly 10 weeks away. Now that all three Colorado Springs school districts are in session and kids are back in shared classrooms, families with infants and high-risk toddlers should be thinking about RSV protection now — not in October when the virus is already circulating.

Protection Options Available Now

The AAP recommends two primary options for protecting infants and high-risk young children during RSV season:

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) or clesrovimab — monoclonal antibody medications given to infants under 8 months old during RSV season. These are not vaccines in the traditional sense; they provide direct protective antibodies that last through the RSV season. Both the AAP and CDC recommend these for infants entering their first RSV season.

Maternal RSV vaccination (Abrysvo) — given during pregnancy, this vaccine prompts the mother's immune system to produce antibodies that pass to the baby before birth. It's an alternative to infant immunization, not an addition — families should discuss with their provider which approach fits their timeline and circumstances.

For children ages 8 to 19 months who are at high risk — including premature infants born before 35 weeks, children with chronic lung disease, and children with certain heart conditions — the AAP also recommends RSV immunization regardless of whether they received protection during their first season.

Quick Reference: RSV Protection Options

The Timing Argument

RSV protection works best when it's in place before first exposure, not after the season is underway. Calling your pediatrician in August or September puts you ahead of the curve. Calling in late October — when RSV is already spreading in schools and daycares — means protection may not be fully in place when your child needs it most.

Pediatric offices also tend to get busy in October and November as flu season, RSV season, and back-to-school wellness visits all converge. Scheduling the conversation now, when appointments are easier to get, is the practical move regardless of what you decide about immunization.

What to Watch For

Even with protection in place, RSV can still cause illness — the goal of immunization is to reduce the severity of infection, not guarantee immunity. In infants, warning signs that RSV has progressed beyond a typical cold include labored breathing (look for the chest pulling in with each breath), breathing faster than usual, poor feeding or significant decrease in wet diapers, and unusual lethargy. These warrant a call to your pediatrician, not a wait-and-see approach.

What's Next

If you have an infant under 8 months or a high-risk toddler, the action item is simple: call your pediatrician this month and ask specifically about RSV immunization. Ask which option they're recommending for the 2026-27 season and when they'll have doses available. The conversation takes five minutes and puts protection on the calendar before RSV season starts. For families with healthy older children and no infants at home, standard cold-and-flu hygiene (handwashing, staying home when sick, ventilating indoor spaces) remains the main tool — RSV protection is primarily aimed at the youngest and most vulnerable.