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Beyfortus

All articles tagged with #beyfortus

healthcare1 year ago

Sanofi and AstraZeneca's RSV Antibody Faces Limited Supply Amid High Demand

Sanofi anticipates limited supply of its infant RSV antibody Beyfortus, co-developed with AstraZeneca, in the first quarter of this year due to overwhelming demand, with plans to boost production but uncertainty about the extent of progress that can be made in 2024. CEO Paul Hudson highlighted efforts to address manufacturing bottlenecks and increase capacity to tackle supply constraints.

health2 years ago

Expanding RSV Immunization Efforts to Safeguard Babies

The White House has announced that an additional 230,000 doses of Beyfortus, a new immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants, will be available in January. This comes as RSV season is in full swing in the United States. The CDC has advised doctors to use the doses they have on hand rather than holding any back for babies born later in the season. The 230,000 doses were initially reserved for the 2024 RSV season in the Southern Hemisphere but will be replenished before that season starts. RSV leads to hospitalizations and deaths in children under 5, and weekly hospital admission rates for RSV have doubled over the past month among children.

health2 years ago

Increased Availability of RSV Immunization for Babies Announced by White House

The White House has announced that more doses of Beyfortus, the new immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants, will be available in January. The announcement comes as RSV season is in full swing in the United States, and the CDC has urged healthcare providers to use the doses they have on hand rather than holding any back. An additional 230,000 doses will be made available next month, following the release of 77,000 additional doses last month. The companies behind Beyfortus, Sanofi and AstraZeneca, are working to augment their manufacturing network and ensure equitable distribution. RSV leads to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year in children under 5.

health2 years ago

"Parents' Frustration: Obtaining Preventive RSV Antibody for Newborns Proves Challenging"

Parents in France are struggling to obtain the new preventive antibody, Beyfortus, for their newborns to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common infection that can cause severe illness in infants. The high demand for the antibody, which is the first widely available intervention for RSV, has led to limited supply and prioritization for certain newborns. The French government has reserved doses for maternity wards, while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends prioritizing newborns at risk of severe RSV disease. The antibody has shown promising results in reducing severe RSV cases, and it is hoped that it will help reduce hospitalizations for RSV and bronchiolitis.

health2 years ago

RSV Shot Beyfortus in Short Supply: Navigating the Crisis

The shortage of the RSV vaccine, Beyfortus, reveals deeper problems with the US administration of childhood vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended prioritizing the drug for the youngest and highest-risk babies due to the shortage. However, pediatric infectious disease specialist Sean O'Leary argues that the shortage should never have occurred. The fragmented US healthcare system and the financial risks associated with stocking expensive vaccines like Beyfortus create barriers for pediatricians. Unlike other industrialized countries, the US lacks a universal vaccination program that provides vaccines free of charge across the lifespan.

health2 years ago

RSV Shot Shortages Prompt CDC Guidelines Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended rationing Sanofi's Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody product used to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), due to shortages. The CDC advises prioritizing available doses for infants under 6 months and those with underlying health conditions at higher risk of severe illness from RSV. The shortage is attributed to high demand and limited manufacturing capacity. The CDC also recommends alternative options, such as Pfizer's Abrysvo vaccine for pregnant individuals and the use of Synagis for eligible children in the 2023-24 season. RSV is a common cause of hospitalization in infants, and while RSV deaths are not common in the US, pediatric hospitals are overwhelmed with RSV cases each year.

health2 years ago

RSV Shot Shortages Lead to CDC Recommendations for Rationing

The manufacturer of the new RSV vaccine, Beyfortus, has stopped taking orders for some doses due to unprecedented demand, leading to a shortage. The US CDC has recommended reserving scarce doses for infants at highest risk, while healthy infants over six months of age may miss out on the new protection. RSV is a respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in infants, and the new vaccine was eagerly anticipated by pediatricians. The limited supply has caused frustration among healthcare professionals, and concerns have been raised about the cost and insurance coverage of the vaccine. The manufacturer expects more doses to be available in the coming weeks.

healthcare2 years ago

Overcoming Obstacles: RSV Treatment for Infants in Oregon

Two new therapies, nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and the Pfizer RSV vaccine, have the potential to significantly reduce the risk of lung infections in infants caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, the rollout of these therapies in Oregon faces obstacles. The high cost of Beyfortus, at $495 per dose, combined with the strict rules governing the distribution of free shots to Medicaid-covered children, has made the rollout challenging. Additionally, concerns about potential preterm births associated with the maternal RSV vaccine may limit its uptake. Experts are worried that not all babies will have equal access to these therapies, potentially leaving some at risk for severe RSV complications.

health2 years ago

Sanofi's Infant RSV Shot Anticipated for Fall Rollout as CDC Considers Use

Sanofi expects its infant RSV shot, Beyfortus, to be available in the U.S. before the respiratory virus season this fall. The monoclonal antibody, developed jointly with AstraZeneca, was approved by the FDA and is administered as a single dose to infants before or during their first RSV season. Sanofi is working with a panel of advisors to place Beyfortus on the U.S. childhood immunization schedule and hopes to include it in the federal Vaccines for Children program. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S., and Beyfortus has shown up to 75% effectiveness in preventing lower respiratory tract infections in clinical trials.

health2 years ago

FDA Approves First RSV Antibody Treatment to Protect Infants and Toddlers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Beyfortus, a preventive antibody treatment developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca, to protect healthy babies and some vulnerable toddlers against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of hospitalization among young children in the country. Beyfortus, which is not a vaccine but works similarly, provides temporary protection for a single winter respiratory virus season by blocking the virus from entering cells. It can be given at birth or administered in a pediatrician's office before a baby's first winter respiratory virus season. The approval marks the first time broad protection against RSV will be offered to all healthy babies, as previous treatments were limited to high-risk infants.

health2 years ago

FDA Approves Breakthrough RSV Drug to Safeguard Infants and Toddlers

The FDA has approved Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip), a new drug developed by AstraZeneca, for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in neonates, infants, and children up to 24 months of age. RSV can cause serious respiratory infections in infants and young children, leading to hospitalizations. Beyfortus is a monoclonal antibody that provides protection against RSV when administered as a single intramuscular injection prior to or during RSV season. Clinical trials showed that Beyfortus reduced the risk of medically attended RSV lower respiratory tract infection by approximately 70% to 75% compared to placebo. Possible side effects include rash and injection site reactions.