This event addresses a critical implementation gap in the uptake of RSV vaccination in pregnancy in Northern British Columbia. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine to reduce the risk of severe infant RSV disease, provincial data suggest inequitable uptake in Northern Health. This disparity may reflect geographic barriers, cost, shortages of prenatal care, and inconsistent vaccine counselling practices. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization under one year of age, and severe illness may require transfer to tertiary pediatric centres such as BC Childrens Hospital. These transfers can create substantial social, financial, and emotional burdens for families, displacing them from their homes and support systems.
The proposed activity is a facilitated, in-person stakeholder roundtable held in Prince George over a half-day. In-person engagement within Northern Health is intentionally prioritized to support meaningful relationship-building and signal the value of northern provider perspectives in shaping provincial perinatal immunization strategies. A Lower Mainland-based perinatal immunization expert will travel to Northern BC as a deliberate commitment to collaborative partnership, recognizing that effective solutions must be informed by local expertise. Participants will include obstetricians, family physicians, midwives, Northern Health public health leadership, and immunization experts.
The session will begin with a presentation summarizing current evidence on RSV vaccination in pregnancy, vaccine effectiveness and safety, implementation approaches, and regional uptake patterns, to ensure participants share a common knowledge base. This will be followed by a facilitated workshop focused on collaborative discussion, barrier identification, and co-design of practical, regionally relevant solutions. The event is intended to support bidirectional learning and knowledge exchange, recognizing Northern BC providers as experts in delivering prenatal care in rural and remote settings while also sharing implementation insights from other regions.
Anticipated outcomes include improved understanding of barriers to RSV vaccination uptake during pregnancy, strengthened collaboration between prenatal care and public health stakeholders, and a plan toward co-developed implementation strategies tailored to Northern BC. Lessons learned will inform future public health emergency responses involving vaccination during pregnancy across BC.
Additional team members and participating organizations:
We thank Vanessa Salmons (Executive Lead of the Perinatal Service Network, Northern Health Authority), Dr. Jia Hu (Interim Medical Director of Immunization Programs, BC Centre for Disease Control), and Michelle Takeuchi (Provincial Vaccine Educator, BC Centre for Disease Control) for their support.