Mandy Moore said she and her husband, musician Taylor Goldsmith, endured “every parent’s nightmare” when both of their young sons were diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in 2023.
The 41-year-old actress told People that August (Gus), now 4, and Oscar (Ozzie), 2, developed RSV — a common virus that can cause serious lung and respiratory infections in infants and older adults. “It was a super helpless feeling,” Moore said, adding that although the boys were not hospitalized, she and Goldsmith were “really shook and very concerned.” Moore has also said she lost her home in Los Angeles wildfires in January.
When Moore gave birth to daughter Louise (Lou) in September 2024, she sought extra protection for the infant ahead of RSV season. The couple consulted pediatrician Dr. Danny Bruckner, who recommended Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody authorized to prevent severe RSV in infants and young children. Moore said Lou received the first available appointment on Oct. 1 and that she felt “unbelievably reassured and relieved” after the immunization.
Public health agencies caution that RSV is a frequent cause of respiratory illness in children. The National Institutes of Health estimates that each year in the United States between 58,000 and 80,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized with RSV and that 100 to 300 children die from the virus. The Mayo Clinic notes that while RSV often causes cold-like symptoms, it can progress to more serious infections of the lungs and respiratory tract in infants, older adults and people with certain medical conditions.
Bruckner told People that his practice has seen improved outcomes since administering Beyfortus. “In previous seasons, before we were allowed to give Beyfortus, we used to have to hospitalize five to 10 babies a winter for this, and since we’ve been giving Beyfortus, I have yet to hospitalize one baby with RSV,” he said.
Moore and Bruckner are working with pharmaceutical and health-care company Sanofi to inform other parents about prevention options. Moore said the decision to seek immunization is a personal one and encouraged families to discuss risks and benefits with their doctors. “When it comes to your baby's health, it's a really, really personal choice and decision, and I just would implore everyone to have that conversation with their family and, most importantly, with their doctor, and decide what's best for them,” she said.
She has joined other public figures, including chef Gaby Dalkin, journalist Elaine Welteroth, gymnast Shawn Johnson East and astronaut Katya Echazaretta, in a so-called Mom Squad to share information about RSV prevention. Moore said the group has been a source of support: “I think moms have to lean on each other. Nobody gets it like another mom, so that's why it's been such a gift to be able to lean on my friends in this particular mom squad.”
Medical experts advise that parents of young infants and families with high-risk members consult pediatricians about available preventive measures, seasonal timing and the signs of severe respiratory illness that warrant immediate medical attention. Moore’s account underscores the anxiety many parents feel when infants are exposed to respiratory viruses and highlights growing public discussion about new preventive options for RSV.