Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adds RSV Vaccinations and Treatments to Recommended Infant Immunization Schedule
New parents, take note: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is taking a significant step in protecting infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by including vaccinations and treatments in its recommended vaccination schedule. This move comes as a response to the vulnerability of babies during their first six months of life when they are most at risk for severe respiratory symptoms caused by RSV.
The inclusion of these preventive measures marks a milestone in infant healthcare. The two key treatments that have been added to the vaccination schedule are an RSV vaccine recommended for pregnant women and a monoclonal antibody injection for babies. Both of these options became available in 2023, and this year is the first time they have been included in the annual vaccination schedule.
Pediatricians emphasize the importance of protecting infants during this critical period. According to Dr. Joe Aracri, chair of Allegheny Health Network’s Pediatric Institute, RSV can cause breathing difficulties by affecting the tiny airways of newborns. The monoclonal antibody treatment provides direct protection against RSV by giving babies the necessary antibodies, bypassing the need for the immune system to learn from a dead piece of the virus. However, if the mother has received the RSV vaccine at least two weeks before giving birth, the baby may not require the monoclonal antibodies.
Dr. Kultar Shergill, a pediatrician at Alle Kiski Pediatrics, explains that the monoclonal antibody shot is specifically recommended for babies born during the RSV season, which typically spans from October to March. This preventive measure is routine for all infants born during their first RSV season. However, babies with high-risk conditions such as lung disease or cystic fibrosis may also be advised to receive the vaccine between 9 and 18 months of age.
Angie Keim, a nurse at Pediatric Associates of Westmoreland’s Greensburg office, stresses that any baby under the age of 8 months can receive the monoclonal antibody shot. RSV can affect individuals of all ages, but it tends to have a more severe impact on young infants and the elderly.
Dr. Richard Beigi, president of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, explains that the maternal RSV vaccine transfers antibodies from the mother to the baby through the placenta, providing protection before birth. This method of antibody transfer is similar to other vaccines such as those for influenza, pertussis, tetanus, and COVID-19.
While the maternal vaccine does not guarantee complete protection against RSV infections, it significantly reduces the risk of severe disease and hospitalization during a critical time for infants. Dr. Beigi emphasizes that it is the hospitalization and severe illness that pose the greatest threat to babies, and the vaccine helps minimize these risks.
Previously, supply chain issues hindered the availability of the monoclonal antibody treatment in pediatricians’ offices. However, Dr. Shergill anticipates that parents will face fewer challenges in obtaining the vaccine by the start of the next RSV season at the latest. He acknowledges that there was a nationwide shortage of the vaccine, with his office only receiving it for private insurance last week and for Medicaid in January.
Dr. Aracri acknowledges that there were initial hurdles in rolling out the monoclonal antibody treatment due to product shortages. However, he assures that next year should be much smoother as more mothers receive the RSV vaccine, reducing the number of infants requiring the monoclonal antibody.
The CDC’s decision to include RSV vaccinations and treatments in its recommended infant immunization schedule is a significant advancement in protecting newborns from this respiratory virus. By providing preventive measures during the most vulnerable period of an infant’s life, healthcare professionals aim to minimize the risk of severe illness and hospitalization caused by RSV. As accessibility to these treatments improves, parents can rest assured that their babies will receive the necessary protection against this common virus.
Julia Maruca is a TribLive reporter covering health and the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She joined the Trib in 2022 after working at the Butler Eagle covering southwestern Butler County. She can be reached at jmaruca@triblive.com.
