A new vaccine called Beyfortus (nirsevimab) has shown to be highly effective in protecting babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of hospitalization in young children. Real-world data collected by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the vaccine is about 90 percent effective at keeping infants out of the hospital.
In clinical trials, Beyfortus had shown to prevent the need for medical care for RSV infection by 79 percent and hospitalization by 81 percent, exceeding expectations. The CDC recommends Beyfortus for all babies under 8 months of age during their first RSV season.
RSV is responsible for between 50,000 and 80,000 children under age 5 being admitted to U.S. hospitals each year, making it a significant health concern. Beyfortus is a monoclonal antibody that boosts the baby’s immune system to fight RSV infections and was approved by the FDA last summer.
In a study following 699 babies over the past five months, Beyfortus was found to be 90% effective in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations in infants. Babies with high-risk medical conditions were more likely to receive the vaccine compared to healthier babies.
The CDC emphasized that RSV prevention products are crucial in protecting babies from the virus. It is important to note that the effectiveness of Beyfortus may decrease over time, especially during a full RSV season running from October to March.
The study on Beyfortus appears in the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The CDC encourages mothers to receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy to transfer protective antibodies to their baby.
For more information on protecting against RSV for infants and young children, visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.