Clinicians can return to the original recommendations for using respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization nirsevimab (Beyfortus) as supplies increase, health officials said Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encouraged clinicians to immunize all eligible children “as quickly as possible” as not save doses for infants born later in the season when risk may be lower. RSV rates are elevated nationwide and increasing in many parts of the country.
Eligible children include all infants under 8 months of age and children 8 months through 19 months at increased risk. Clinicians should ensure they are using the correct RSV product for children. Children are not eligible to receive Pfizer’s Abrysvo or GSK’s Arexvy.
The CDC guidance follows Sanofi’s announcement it would be releasing 230,000 additional doses of nirsevimab this month. The long-awaited monoclonal antibody received CDC approval in early August, offering protection against the leading cause of hospitalization for infants. However, demand quickly outpaced supply.
The additional supplies will include both 50 milligram (mg) and 100 mg doses and will be distributed through the Vaccines for Children program and the private market. The CDC is encouraging clinicians to work with Sanofi and their state immunization program to place orders.
Health care providers in areas that continue to face supply issues should prioritize infants at highest risk for severe disease based on high-risk conditions, then consider age, prioritizing the youngest infants first, according to the CDC.
Pregnant people 32 through 36 weeks’ gestation should receive RSV vaccine Abrysvo through January to protect their infants. Most infants do not need protection from both nirsevimab and a maternal vaccination.
Resources
- CDC’s guidance for increased nirsevimab supplies
- Information from the CDC on RSV immunization for children
- AAP RSV resources, including information on ordering, dosing, coding and a visual guide for nirsevimab administration
- AAP News article “How to use new CPT codes for administration of RSV immunizations”
- VFC operations guide addendum for nirsevimab
- Information for clinicians from the CDC on nirsevimab
- Information for parents from HealthyChildren.org on RSV symptoms and when to call a doctor
- Pediatrics in Review article “Implications of Food and Drug Administration Approval of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylactic Medications”
