What is RSV?

What is Beyfortus?
Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) is an antibody injection that can prevent serious lung disease caused by RSV. Studies have shown that in young infants the RSV preventive antibody treatment can lower serious RSV disease causing hospitalization for bronchiolitis and pneumonia by 75%. One dose of Beyfortus will protect infants for 6 months, the length of an average RSV season.

Who is eligible for the RSV antibody (Beyfortus)?
Eligible infants can receive Beyfortus during RSV season if on the day of the injection they are 7 months of age or younger. (Note: Infants 8 months and older have a much lower risk of severe RSV disease and are not eligible for RSV antibody.) The CDC recommends that eligible infants receive Beyfortus as soon as possible after birth.

If mom received the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) during pregnancy at least 2 weeks before delivery does the baby still need Beyfortus?
No. Except in rare circumstances most infants do not need the RSV antibody (Beyfortus) if they were born 14 or more days after their mother received RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) during pregnancy.

Are older high-risk infants and some toddlers eligible for Beyfortus?
Yes. Certain older children who remain at risk of severe RSV disease may receive the RSV antibody. This includes children who are 8-19 months on the day of the injection during RSV season and have a high-risk criteria including:
– prematurity born at less than 32 weeks gestation
– hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease
– anatomical pulmonary abnormalities
– neuromuscular diseases
– chromosomal differences including Down syndrome putting child at higher risk of severe RSV disease
– chronic lung disease of prematurity who required medical support (chronic corticosteroid therapy, diuretic therapy, or supplemental oxygen) any time during the 6-month period before the start of the second RSV season.
– severe immunocompromise
– cystic fibrosis who have severe disease
– American Indian and Alaska Native children

What is the dosage of Beyfortus?
50mg (0.5mL) for infants weighing <5 kg/10 lbs (CPT code 90380)
100 mg (1mL) for infants weighing ≥5 kg/11 lbs (CPT code 90381)

Questions about why you should get the RSV antibody as well as typical side effects and risks? Click here for the RSV antibody Vaccine Information Statement.

What is Abrysvo?
Abrysvo is an RSV vaccine given to pregnant adults at 32 – 36 weeks pregnancy at least 2 weeks before delivery and during RSV season. Vaccinated adults will make antibodies against RSV that are transmitted through the placenta to give the infant significant protection throughout RSV season. In the phase 3 clinical trial, the maternal RSV vaccine reduced the risk of severe RSV disease by 82% within 3 months and by 69% within 6 months after birth.

Who is eligible for Abrysvo?
Adults who are 32 – 36 weeks pregnant and are not expected to deliver within 2 weeks and who are due immediately before or through the middle of RSV season (September – January). Note: Pregnant adults should not receive the RSV vaccine if it was already received in a prior pregnancy. In this situation the RSV protection should be through the RSV antibody given to the baby soon after birth.

Questions about why you should get the RSV vaccine as well as typical side effects and risks? Click here for the RSV vaccine Vaccine Information Statement.