OHIO — According to the National Coalition for Infant Health, respiratory syncytial disease, or RSV, is the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants under a year old.
What You Need To Know
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new antibody that will protect babies and infants from RSV
- The CDC reports up to 80,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized for the virus each year
- The new antibody Nirsevimab will be sold under the brand name Beyfortus and is said to last in a child’s body for four to six months
- It serves as a passive immunity for all children meaning it will block the virus from effecting healthy cells
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new antibody to protect infants from the respiratory virus.
Symptoms of RSV include wheezing, coughing, nasal congestion, fever and decreased appetite. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports up to 80,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized for the virus each year, and it often leads to infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
The new antibody Nirsevimab will be sold under the brand name Beyfortus and is set to last in the body for four to six months, allowing babies to be protected through the fall and winter months.
The drug can be given at birth during this coming winter or fall RSV season, or at a pediatrician’s office next spring or summer ahead of the 2024 season. It will be administered as a single injection.
According to the FDA analysis of the antibody, Nirsevimab was about 70% effective at preventing an infant from needing a doctor for RSV.
Dr. Shelly Senders, with Senders Pediatrics, said this will be a one and done approach to help many more infants.
“This is called passive immunity,” Senders said. “It’s not getting your immune system.”
Last month, FDA advisers recommended a vaccine that would be given to expecting mothers so babies can be born with immunity to the respiratory virus and earlier this year, the FDA approved an RSV vaccine for seniors and older adults.
While RSV is a concern for babies and infants, there’s a push for children to get vaccinated before heading back to school. Ohio public health officials are encouraging all parents to get their students vaccines before the first day of school. Because of COVID, many kids are behind on their immunizations because of hesitations and access to their health care providers, which has led to surges in various viruses including measles and influenza.
According to OPH, kindergarten vaccination rates improved from 2021 to 2022, but around 10% of kindergarteners have missed at least one vaccination dose or aren’t vaccinated at all.
The polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, DTaP and chickenpox vaccine are required to attend most schools in the state. The lack of vaccinations can cause severe illness, affecting a child’s school performance.
Dr. Sara Bode of Nationwide Children’s Hospital says it’s better to be proactive than reactive.
“We really emphasize this healthy start to school,” said Bode. “We know that kids that miss even just two to four days, that first month of school, actually half of them are likely to miss a total of a month of school through that school year. That early start and coming on the first day, every day that first month of school right from the beginning, is just critical.”
Health officials say it’s important that parents pay attention to their child’s overall health. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, recommends children practice their route to school if walking or riding their bikes. He also encouraged parents to submit all health related documents, including allergies, medications, and more.