Posted on 11/18/23
| News Source: WBAL TV
Amid an ongoing shortage of nirsevimab, an RSV immunization for young children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that more than 77,000 additional doses will be distributed "immediately."
These doses will be going to doctor's offices and hospitals through the CDC's Vaccines for Children Program and commercial channels, according to Thursday's announcement.
Nirsevimab, marketed as Beyfortus, is a long-acting monoclonal antibody administered as an injection to protect infants against severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus or RSV infections, which are the leading cause of hospitalization in infants.
"Helping to ensure the availability of this preventative option to reduce the impact of RSV disease on eligible babies and young children, families and the health care system remains a priority," Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in the announcement. "We will continue to use all our regulatory tools to help bring safe, effective and high-quality medicines to the public."
The CDC and the FDA will continue to be in "close contact" with manufacturers to ensure the availability of more doses through the end of this year and early next year to meet demand, according to the announcement.
The shortage of nirsevimab has public health officers frustrated, especially as the nation heads into the winter – typically the peak time for respiratory viruses to spread.
"It's a success that mothers want to protect their babies. It's a success that mothers want to get vaccinated. But we can't celebrate that success if we don't have equal access everywhere and supply doesn't meet demand," said Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
In July, the FDA approved Beyfortus and the CDC recommended it for children under 8 months of age who are entering their first respiratory virus season. The immunization is also recommended for certain high-risk toddlers up to age 2. Nirsevimab is supplied in single-dose prefilled syringes of either 50 milligrams or 100 milligrams.