The CDC has issued interim guidance to help pediatricians allocate the limited supply, recommending that doctors only administer the vaccine to their most vulnerable patients.
The distribution of the vaccine has been slowed down by the high cost and bureaucratic obstacles in Medicaid's vaccine allocation system.
The monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, marketed under the brand name Beyfortus, has seen a limited supply since its release in the fall due to an underestimation of demand.
Health officials across the United States are grappling with a shortage of a new vaccine designed to protect infants from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, marketed under the brand name Beyfortus, has seen a limited supply since its release in the fall. The shortage is not due to manufacturing issues but rather an underestimation of demand.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued interim guidance to help pediatricians allocate the limited supply. The CDC recommends that doctors only administer the vaccine to their most vulnerable patients. In light of the shortage, health officials suggest suspending nirsevimab use in children eight months to 19 months old if they qualify for palivizumab, a preventative antibody available since 1998 for medically complex infants or babies born prematurely.
However, the distribution of the vaccine has been slowed down by the high cost and bureaucratic obstacles in Medicaid's vaccine allocation system. Meanwhile, the potential of another RSV vaccine from Pfizer, called Abrysvo, is being discussed. This vaccine is recommended for adults 60 and older, and pregnant people to confer some immunity on their infants.
The high cost and bureaucratic obstacles in Medicaid’s vaccine allocation system are slowing down its distribution.
The article also discusses the potential of the RSV vaccine from Pfizer called Abrysvo, which is recommended for adults 60 and older, and pregnant people to confer some immunity on their infants.
The shortage is attributed to an underestimation of demand rather than manufacturing issues.
Health officials suggest suspending nirsevimab use in children eight months to 19 months old if they qualify for palivizumab, a preventative antibody available since 1998 for medically complex infants or babies born prematurely.