CDC recommends RSV vaccination for all infants.
CDC recommends RSV vaccination for all infants.
New Antibody Shot Offers Hope in Protecting Infants against Severe RSV
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently recommended a new antibody shot to protect infants under the age of 8 months from severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This antibody shot, known as Beyfortus, has demonstrated promising results, reducing the risk of hospitalizations and healthcare visits for RSV in infants by about 80 percent. The CDC’s announcement aims to provide parents with a powerful tool to safeguard their children against the threat of RSV, the leading cause of hospitalizations for infants and older babies at higher risk.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, the CDC Director, emphasized the importance of using the newly available immunization to prevent severe RSV illness as the fall respiratory virus season approaches. She encourages parents to consult with their pediatricians about this breakthrough immunization.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an expert panel that advises the CDC on vaccine usage, unanimously endorsed the shot. Dr. Helen Talbot, a pediatrician at Vanderbilt University, expressed her excitement about this life-changing intervention and hopes for a smooth implementation process. The ACIP also recommended that infants between 8 and 19 months of age, with underlying health issues, receive a second dose of the antibody shot for their second RSV season.
The antibody, manufactured by Sanofi and AstraZeneca, is expected to become available in the coming months. Thomas Triomphe, the executive vice president for vaccines at Sanofi, believes that the ACIP’s recommendations mark a turning point in protecting the most vulnerable population from RSV disease.
Dr. Grace Lee, a pediatrician at Stanford University School of Medicine and the ACIP Chair, described the antibody shot as a significant step forward in terms of innovation. While the approval of the vaccine is indeed a spectacular advancement, insurance coverage for the shot may take up to a year to be implemented.
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According to Sanofi, the cost per dose is estimated to be $495 for private payers and $395 for the government’s Vaccines for Children program. Despite potential growing pains associated with implementation, Dr. Jamie Loehr, a family physician in New York, stresses the importance of recognizing the substantial impact this advancement will have in helping families and medical offices, ultimately reducing hospitalization rates.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, infants born before or during the RSV season should receive the shot in their first week of life. Infants under 8 months of age who haven’t received the antibody shot should be vaccinated before the start of the RSV season. It’s worth noting that the antibody’s protection typically lasts for five to six months.
In the United States, RSV season typically occurs between October and March, with certain racial and ethnic groups, such as American Indian and Alaska Native children, being disproportionately affected. These groups have hospitalization rates for RSV that are 4 to 10 times higher than the general population, making the second shot recommendation particularly crucial for them.
It is essential to stay informed about the latest developments in RSV prevention and the availability of the antibody shot. For further information on respiratory syncytial virus, the American Lung Association offers valuable insights.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, Aug. 3, 2023; CNN
