Nirsevimab is the new FDA-approved monoclonal antibody RSV vaccine for the prevention of severe lower respiratory illness in infants. In this episode, we discuss the current recommendations on who gets the vaccine and when, how to use a lens of health equity to approach the current vaccine shortages, and how to discuss safety and efficacy with vaccine hesitant parents. Now that nirsevimab is on the routine infant immunization schedule, it’s extremely important and pediatric providers understand the recommendations and science behind the monoclonal antibody to help vaccine acceptance that will undoubtedly reduce bronchiolitis hospitalization.

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Show notes and references

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References:

CDC Health Alert Network. (2023). Limited availability of nirsevimab in the United States—Interim CDC recommendations to protect infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during the 2023–2024 respiratory virus season. Emergency Preparedness and Response. https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00499.asp?c

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Frequently asked questions about RSV immunization with monoclonal antibody for children 19 months and younger. Vaccines and Preventable Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/child-faqs.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Vaccines for Children Program. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). General best practice guidelines for immunization. Vaccine Recommendations and the Guidelines of the ACIP. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/index.html

Jones, J. M., Fleming-Dutra, K. E., Prill, M. M., Roper, L. E., Brooks, O., Sánchez, P. J., Kotton, C. N., Mahon, B. E., Meyer, S., Long, S. S., & McMorrow, M. L. (2023). Use of Nirsevimab for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Among Infants and Young Children: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2023. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 72(34), 920–925. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7234a4

Hill, D., & Parga-Belinkie, J. (Host). (2023, August 29). Immunizations special: RSV, Covid, pneumococcal disease, influenza (No. 170) [Audio podcast episode]. In Pediatrics on call. American Academy of Pediatrics. www.aap.org/podcast

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Suh, M., Movva, N., Jiang, X., Bylsma, L. C., Reichert, H., Fryzek, J. P., & Nelson, C. B. (2022). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Is the Leading Cause of United States Infant Hospitalizations, 2009-2019: A Study of the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. The Journal of infectious diseases, 226(Suppl 2), S154–S163. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiac120