Mandy Moore shields newborn from RSV after sons' harrowing battles

Singer and actress Mandy Moore has taken steps to protect her newborn daughter from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The decision comes after her two sons fell ill with the infection last year. Now, she is working with Sanofi to raise awareness about prevention options.

RSV poses a serious risk to young children, causing millions of hospitalisations and thousands of deaths each year. Moore's campaign highlights treatments like monoclonal antibodies, which can cut hospitalisation rates by over 70 percent.

In 2023, Moore's sons August 'Gus' Harrison and Oscar 'Ozzy' Bennett both contracted RSV. The experience left her determined to shield her newest child, Louise 'Lou' Everett, born in September. RSV season often begins in early autumn and can last until May, overlapping with Lou's first months.

The virus can be severe, sometimes leading to life-threatening breathing difficulties in infants. Symptoms like retractions—where a child struggles for air—can escalate to respiratory failure. Globally, RSV causes around 3.6 million hospitalisations and 100,000 deaths annually in children under five.

To guard against the virus, Moore chose Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody treatment. Another option is for pregnant women to receive an RSV vaccine, passing protection to the baby. For infants, treatments like nirsevimab (Beyfortus) or clesrovimab (Enflonsia) offer direct defence.

Moore is now partnering with Sanofi on their Beyfortus awareness campaign. The effort aims to inform parents about RSV risks and the available preventive measures.

Moore's daughter received Beyfortus shortly after birth. The treatment, along with wider awareness campaigns, could help reduce severe RSV cases in infants. With hospitalisation rates potentially dropping by over 70 percent, such measures provide critical protection during peak seasons.