Keke Palmer can still vividly recall the first time her baby son got sick, and the emotions of that day have stuck with her.
The 33 year old actress said she felt horrified as she watched him struggle. She added that the sensation can come rushing back in an instant, even years later.
Palmer explained that the fear was rooted in a brand new kind of love. For the first time, she cared so deeply about someone who could do nothing to help himself, and that powerlessness hit hard.
Palmer is now mom to a 3 year old, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, who goes by Leo. She welcomed her only child in February 2023 with her ex-boyfriend, Darius Jackson. The Emmy Award winning star has teamed up with Sanofi to raise awareness about Beyfortus as respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, season approaches.
Her story adds a personal note to a topic that can feel clinical. Behind the medical terms is a mother describing the very human worry of watching a tiny child feel unwell.
A crash course in adulthood
Guiding her son through that first illness, Palmer said, proved to be an eye opening lesson in responsibility. She likened it to a shared rite of passage among millennial parents, many of whom suddenly realize they are the ones now expected to make weighty decisions about the health of someone they adore.
Fortunately, she does not have to figure it all out alone. Palmer credits her own parents, Sharon Palmer and Larry Palmer, as a steady source of support. She said they help keep her informed and share what worked when they raised her, while leaving space for her to trust her own instincts.
How she learned about Beyfortus
While Leo was still young, a pediatrician visit introduced Palmer to Beyfortus. According to the product’s website, it is a preventive antibody designed to protect babies born during or heading into their first RSV season from serious RSV related lung infections.
Palmer said that, like any mother, she felt nervous and wanted to find the best way to look after her baby. She ultimately concluded that using Beyfortus was the right choice for both of them, a way to help shield her newborn from severe lung infections that RSV can cause.
What to know about RSV
RSV is a common respiratory virus that affects the nose, throat, airways and lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In many people, it causes mild, cold like symptoms.
For some infants, however, the virus can lead to more serious illness, which is one reason health officials pay close attention to the youngest babies. In the U.S., RSV season generally begins in the fall and peaks in the winter, so families often start thinking about protection options as the weather cools.
The company behind Beyfortus says two of every three babies will contract RSV before their first birthday. It also says it has helped more than 11 million babies since March 2026.
Questions to ask your pediatrician
Parents with questions about RSV protection are encouraged to talk with their child’s health care provider about what makes sense for their family. A pediatrician can explain how timing works, who may be eligible and what to watch for if a baby develops symptoms.
That kind of guidance is exactly what pointed Palmer in her own direction. A conversation with her son’s doctor gave her the information she needed to make a decision she felt was best for Leo, and she has since chosen to share that experience publicly as part of her work with Sanofi.
Why her story resonates
Palmer’s account touches on something many parents know well: the jarring moment when a child’s health becomes the top priority and the stakes suddenly feel enormous. Her openness about the anxiety of that first illness may help other families feel less alone as they weigh their own choices.
Her partnership arrives as many families begin preparing for the months when respiratory illnesses tend to spread more easily. Her comments emphasize staying informed, asking questions and leaning on trusted support.
Exclusive : People
