In a recent advisory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has alerted medical professionals to a notable uptick in severe cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) affecting young children in the states of Florida and Georgia.
The CDC’s communication emphasized the historical trend where regional spikes in RSV cases often foreshadow the onset of the national RSV season, typically characterized by an expansion of RSV activity to northern and western regions within the subsequent 2 to 3 months.
This late-summer resurgence of RSV appears to indicate a return to the customary seasonal pattern after a period of unusually early viral activity attributed to the ongoing pandemic.
The CDC’s data revealed that between August 5 and August 19, the rate of RSV-related hospitalizations surged from 2 per 100,000 children aged 4 and under to 7 per 100,000. It is worth noting that a significant proportion of these hospitalizations involved infants less than one year old.
Annually, RSV infections lead to approximately 2 million pediatric doctor visits, result in 80,000 hospitalizations, and contribute to up to 300 fatalities in children under the age of five, according to statistics provided by the CDC.
In light of this concerning development, the CDC has advised healthcare providers to prepare for the introduction of a new RSV vaccine targeting young children with the aim of preventing respiratory infections. The vaccine, known as Beyfortus or nirsevimab, is a monoclonal antibody approved for all infants under 8 months old. Additionally, children at a heightened risk of RSV-related complications, particularly those with severe immunocompromised conditions, may be eligible for a second shot, administered approximately up to 18 months of age.
However, it should be noted that Beyfortus is not anticipated to be available until early October.
Furthermore, in the previous month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for an RSV vaccine intended for pregnant women, providing protection to their newborns during the initial six months of life.