Tamara Thomas

Urban Health Today

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination can reduce infant hospitalizations by up to 90%, according to a study in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention&rsquo;s (CDC&rsquo;s) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.Every year in the US, RSV infection sends a significant number of young children to the hospital, with the CDC reporting 50000 to 80000 hospitalizations among children under 5.In August 2023, CDC&rsquo;s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended Beyfortus (nirsevimab), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, for all infants older than 8 months born during or entering their first RSV season and for children aged 8&ndash;19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season.&nbsp; CDC clearly states that nirsevimab is specifically for infants whose mothers did not receive an RSV vaccine before delivery.For this analysis, the CDC evaluated the effectiveness of this vaccine among U.S. infants during their first RSV season.The study investigated vaccine effectiveness by analyzing data from 699 infants in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) for 5 months. This network is a platform that tracks acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) in children under 18 at seven U.S. pediatric medical centers. It specifically monitors pediatric respiratory viruses.The results reveal that Beyfortus was 82-90% effective at preventing RSV-related hospitalizations in infants who were immunized before 8 months of age. According to the study, nirsevimab&rsquo;s protection against RSV symptoms lasted for about 45 days on average.CDC also noted that infants with high-risk medical conditions were more likely to receive the shot than healthier babies ( 46% vs 6%).&ldquo;RSV prevention products remain our single most important tool to protect infants from RSV,&rdquo; the agency noted in a news release.The CDC cautions that Beyfortus&rsquo; effectiveness might be lower over a full RSV season (October to March) as the study only analyzed a shorter surveillance period. This potential decline is likely because protection from monoclonal antibodies typically weakens over time.Source: <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-03-11/real-world-data-shows-rsv-shot-cut-infant-hospitalizations-by-90">US News</a>Original report: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7309a4.htm?s_cid=mm7309a4_w">CDC</a>

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Real-world Evidence Shows RSV Shots Reduce Infant Hospitalizations by 90%

Infectious Diseases

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination can reduce infant hospitalizations by up to 90%.

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