New Vaccine Available for Infants

Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and New Beyfortus Vaccine Available September 2024

Written by Raquel Fernandez, MD

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus and the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under the age of 1 year. This fall, a new RSV preventative antibody will be available to all infants younger than 8 months of age.

Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) is a monoclonal antibody that protects against RSV. The immunization comes in two doses depending on the patient’s weight and is administered as a single dose injection into the thigh muscle. Beyfortus produces passive immunity because protection comes from antibodies produced outside of a person’s body rather than activating a person’s immune system. Beyfortus is ideally dosed just before the start of the RSV season or within the first week of life for infants born during the RSV season.

Beyfortus is recommended for all infants younger than 8 months of age, who are born during or who are entering their first RSV season and whose mother did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy or are born within 14 days of maternal RSV vaccination. Beyfortus is also recommended for some children ages 8 to 19 months old, who are at increased risk of RSV and entering their second RSV season. These include children born prematurely, those having congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, Cystic Fibrosis, weakened immune systems, or neuromuscular disorders and lastly American Indian or Alaskan Native children.

Beyfortus has been shown to be very effective. The immunization reduces the risk of severe RSV disease by about 80% and 1 dose has been shown to protect infants for a least 5 months, the typical length of the RSV season. Beyfortus helps to protect infants when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV disease.

The Beyfortus vaccine will be available beginning September 24, 2024 at the following Torrance Memorial Physician Network pediatric offices: El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Carson, and Torrance (Lomita Blvd, 301).

Raquel Fernandez is a Torrance Memorial Physician Network pediatrician and is located at 3400 Lomita Blvd., Ste. 301, in Torrance. She can be reached at 310-517-1188.