CDC changes recommendations due to severe nirsevimab shortage during the 2023−2024 RSV season

In July 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nirsevimab-alip (Beyfortus, Sanofi, and AstraZeneca) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).One month later, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, part of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended the use of nirsevimab-alip in all infants and children 8-19 months of age who have a higher risk of severe RSV disease, and who meet certain criteria. 1These acts demonstrated monumental steps forward in the prevention of RSV, which is the second-leading global cause of death during a child's first year of life. 2 RSV is a highly prevalent viral infection that causes respiratory diseases in all age groups, especially infants and young children, resulting in a spectrum of respiratory tract infections ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to severe conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.On a global scale, RSV causes approximately 1.4 million hospitalizations of infants under 6 months, resulting in around 27,300 fatalities. 3In the United States, RSV leads to approximately 5800 hospitalizations and results in 100-500 deaths among infants and children below 5 years of age each year.In addition, about 79% of RSV hospitalizations with patients less than 2 years of age had no underlying medical conditions. 1 Despite the widespread impact of RSV, current treatment options are limited.