National RSV Education Campaign Launched for Parents
The initiative helps expecting families learn about prevention strategies for infants.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Babies
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Do you feel prepared to discuss RSV prevention options with your pediatrician before your baby arrives?
The National Minority Quality Forum has launched a national RSV awareness campaign called Protect From Day One. The program provides expecting parents with tools to develop RSV prevention plans ahead of their child's arrival.
Why it matters
Rising emergency room visits for RSV in young children have prompted a need for better parental awareness. This campaign aims to bridge that gap by offering resources to help families navigate prevention before birth.
Government statistics show a significant rise in emergency department visits for RSV among children under age 2 from 31.2% in 2017 to 47.6% by 2026. Data also highlights that RSV-associated ICU admission rates for non-Hispanic Black infants remain 1.2 to 1.6 times higher than for White infants.
The players
National Minority Quality Forum
An organization focused on reducing health disparities through research, data, and community-based education programs.
Keke Palmer
An actress and advocate who is participating in the campaign to help raise awareness for RSV prevention.
The details
The Protect From Day One campaign connects families with clinician-vetted resources including prevention explainers and provider conversation checklists. These tools are designed to facilitate proactive discussions about health milestones and protection strategies with medical teams. By utilizing community voices and maternal health partners, the program ensures educational materials reach families ahead of the typical October through March peak season.
Timeline
Emergency department encounters were 31.2% for children under 2 in January 2017.
Emergency department encounters reached 47.6% for children under 2 in January 2026.
The campaign launch was announced by the National Minority Quality Forum on October 1, 2026.
An interview with Keke Palmer will be released on October 8, 2026.
RSV cases typically increase in the United States from October through March.
Health Landscape
This initiative reflects a broader shift toward proactive, community-based prevention for common respiratory viruses in early childhood. It builds on the work of the National Minority Quality Forum to address systemic gaps in care that have historically left Black infants at higher risk for severe illness.
Expecting parents should use these tools to prepare questions for their prenatal or pediatric appointments to discuss personalized prevention plans. If you are concerned about your child’s risk, especially during the October through March season, speak with your pediatrician about available options.
The takeaway
Proactive planning is a key component in reducing the risk of RSV-related hospitalizations for young children. Families are encouraged to utilize resources to build a tailored protection plan and discuss preventative measures with their primary care provider.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest resources for protecting infants in our Babies section.
More information
For more information on the campaign, visit the expecting parent RSV educational resources page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
Live Poll
Do you feel prepared to discuss RSV prevention options with your pediatrician before your baby arrives?
