A new study has found that the first US respiratory-virus season with broad availability of a maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) and preventive monoclonal antibody nirsevimab for infants saw significant reductions in infant hospitalization rates due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led team, cumulative RSV admission rates among infants aged 0-7 months were lower in 2024-25 than in 2018-20. The greatest drop in admission rates was seen in babies aged 0-2 months, with reductions of 52% using RSV-NET data and 45% using NVSN data.
The study found that despite high coverage of maternal vaccination or nirsevimab among infants, racial disparities and shortages of the monoclonal antibody were common. In fact, only 60.5% of Black, Middle Eastern, or North African women’s infants received RSV-prevention products, compared to 83.7% among Asian mothers.
Researchers noted that these findings suggest a more severe 2024-25 season overall and may have underestimated the true benefits of RSV prevention in younger infants. They concluded that increasing early use of RSV prevention products could lead to even larger reductions in pediatric RSV-associated hospitalizations.
The study’s authors also highlighted the need for strategic policymaking, effective communication, and a commitment to equity to overcome barriers to vaccine uptake, including parental vaccine reluctance and health care provider burnout.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/rsv-prevention-products-tied-lower-infant-hospitalization-rates