Beyfortus: Safe and Effective Way to Prevent Severe RSV

WRITTEN BY SHAINA ROGERS

Along with all the joys of the holidays comes the bitter arrival of cold and flu season. There is one visitor many of us hope will not come knocking at our door: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). A common respiratory virus, RSV is generally spread through respiratory droplets, often with coughing and sneezing. Sometimes symptoms from RSV are relatively mild, with runny nose, congestion and cough. Other times, however, it can cause more serious symptoms, such as bronchiolitis, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

RSV can be particularly dangerous for young infants, high-risk children and the elderly. It is the most common cause of hospitalization for children less than a year old in the United States. It’s a really big deal. In prior years we had to rely on good handwashing, encouraging people to stay home if they were sick and then managing symptoms if people got RSV. Now we don’t have to wait and see if children get sick, we can help prevent RSV infection in the first place.

Last year we were able to start offering an immunization called Beyfortus for infants and high-risk children to prevent RSV infection. Beyfortus, also known as Nirsevimab, is a monoclonal antibody designed to prevent severe RSV disease and hospitalization related to RSV infection. The data from this past year showed that Beyfortus was 90% effective at preventing severe RSV symptoms and RSVrelated hospitalizations. This is truly incredible.

Because Beyfortus is a monoclonal antibody, children who receive it get immune protection right away. It is given as a single dose and provides protection for around five months, so it should last through most of the RSV season. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants younger than 8 months receive Beyfortus if they are born during RSV season or are entering their first RSV season. The AAP also recommends that high-risk infants and toddlers from 8 to 19 months receive Beyfortus; this includes children born prematurely with chronic lung disease, immunocompromised children, those with severe cystic fibrosis and American Indian or Alaska Native children, all of whom are at higher risk for severe RSV disease. Beyfortus is a very safe and effective way to keep infants and children healthy and out of the hospital.

Starting last year, pregnant mothers were also able to receive an RSV vaccine called Abrysvo, to protect against RSV infection in babies. This maternal RSV vaccine is generally offered between 32 to 36 weeks gestational age. Pregnant mothers are then able to pass on immunity to their babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control, if a pregnant mother receives the RSV vaccine at least two weeks prior to delivery, her baby should be protected against RSV and will not need Beyfortus.

The most important takeaway is that we want all babies to be protected against RSV, and each family can decide what feels best to them. If you or your partner are pregnant, please consider talking to your OB/GYN provider about the RSV vaccine. As a pediatrician who is also a mother, I highly recommend Beyfortus for all eligible children.

Shaina Rogers, DO, MPH is a pediatrician with the Bozeman Health Pediatric Clinic in Belgrade.

“RSV in Infants and Young Children.” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/index.html. 1 October 2024.

“RSV Vaccine Guidance for Pregnant People.” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/ vaccine-clinical-guidance/pregnant-people.html. 1 October 2024.

Jenco, Melissa. “Report: RSV immunization 90% effective in preventing infant hospitalization.” AAP News. American Academy of Pediatrics. 7 March 2024.

Caserta, Mary and Andrea Jones. “RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold.” American Academy of Pediatrics, https://www. healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/ Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx. 1 October 2024.