AstraZeneca and Sanofi, the makers of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization for infants, will deliver an additional 230,000 doses in January to meet the high demand in the United States. This brings the total number of doses to be delivered this year to 1.4 million, exceeding the original plan by over 25%. The increased supply is a result of discussions between the companies and U.S. government officials. RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization among infants, and the expanded supply will allow the U.S. to provide the vaccine to 40% of the birth cohort this RSV season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised doctors to prioritize the limited supply of the new infant RSV immunization, Beyfortus, for infants under 6 months old or those with underlying conditions. The shortage has led to the inability to provide the immunization to all eligible infants, causing disappointment among doctors and parents. The CDC recommends promoting RSV vaccination in pregnant women to pass on antibodies to their infants. In the absence of the immunization, everyday preventive measures such as handwashing and staying home when sick are advised. The shortage raises concerns about unprotected infants and the potential for severe RSV disease.
