Bringing Up Boone Babies

WHAT’S NEW WITH RSV? Protecting Your Baby

As a pediatrician, I often hear from parents concerned about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV can affect all ages but is particularly dangerous for newborn babies. Some babies just get mild cold symptoms but many illnesses last at least two weeks, and the infant often develops bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) or pneumonia, requiring hospitalization.

During RSV season, which spans from October to March, we see a surge in cases in infants and young children. In fact, RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations among infants under one year of age. While most babies recover from RSV with supportive care at home, severe cases often require hospitalization for oxygen, fluids, and other interventions.

A Game Changer in RSV Prevention

There’s exciting news for parents this year. There is a new way to help protect your baby: Beyfortus (nirsevimab), a preventive treatment against RSV.

Until recently, options to protect babies from RSV were limited, and primarily focused on high-risk groups like premature infants or those with certain medical conditions. With the introduction of Beyfortus, all newborn babies can now receive protection against this virus.

Beyfortus is a long-acting monoclonal antibody that works by providing antibody immunity against RSV. Unlike traditional vaccines that stimulate the body to produce its own antibodies, monoclonal antibodies like Beyfortus deliver ready-made antibodies that target and neutralize the RSV virus. This means that your baby can be protected from RSV from the moment they receive the injection.

Beyfortus is given as a single injection in the thigh, typically administered before or during the RSV season to offer protection for at least 5 months. Studies have shown that this treatment significantly reduces the risk of RSVrelated lower respiratory tract infections that require medical attention, including hospitalizations.

Because Beyfortus is designed for infants, it offers peace of mind to parents of newborns who are particularly vulnerable to RSV. In clinical trials, Beyfortus demonstrated an excellent safety profile, making it a viable option for a wide range of babies. The most common side effects are a rash, redness or swelling at the site of the injection.

Who Should Get Beyfortus?

Currently, Beyfortus is recommended for all infants under 8 months of age during their first RSV season. Premature infants or those with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease, who are at particularly high risk, may also qualify for Beyfortus in a subsequent RSV season. Beyfortus can be given any time after the baby is born. Some hospitals are giving Beyfortus to newborn babies before discharge, especially if discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). More commonly they receive the injection at their first visit to the pediatrician’s office. If your child is under 8 months old, you can call your doctor’s office to schedule an appointment for Beyfortus.

If your baby was born just before or during the RSV season, your pediatrician will recommend Beyfortus to help protect them. It is important to note that while Beyfortus provides protection for the duration of a single RSV season, it does not offer long-term immunity.

You may have heard about the Abrysvo vaccine that is given to pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks estimated gestational age. This vaccine develops antibodies against RSV in the mother that are transferred to the baby while in utero. If given at least two weeks before delivery, this method also gives good protection for the first 6 months of the baby’s life.

Both Beyfortus for the baby or Abrysvo for pregnant mothers are working well. Studies have not shown that one is better than the other for preventing RSV. The important thing is to give your baby protection with one of these two options.

As a pediatrician I am not going to go into detail about this, but there is also now an RSV vaccine available to those 60 years and older called Arexvy. This age group also has more complications with RSV. It is good to protect the grandparents as well!

The arrival of Beyfortus is a significant step forward in the fight against RSV, offering families an additional layer of protection during a particularly vulnerable period in their baby’s life. As we head into RSV season, talk to your pediatrician about whether Beyfortus is the right choice for your baby.

By Lisa Monsees, MD (Dr. Monsees is a pediatrician at Tiger Pediatrics. She is accepting new patients.)