Canada approves RSV vaccine for newborns
This is a real breakthrough: the new product reduces infant mortality from respiratory infections.
Health Canada has approved a new drug for newborns. It is designed to protect them from the human respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV. This virus is less well-known to the general public than HIV or COVID-19, but that doesn't make it any less harmful. Most cases of respiratory tract infections in newborns are a credit to it. By the age of 2 or 3, 90% of children in the United States have it. With timely and adequate treatment, RSV is not life-threatening, but can cause complications in adulthood — many people who have had it develop bronchial asthma or chronic rhinitis.
Nirsevimab, also known under the brand name Beyfortus, was approved on April 19. It was developed by AstraZeneca and Sanofi. Health Canada spokesman Mark Johnson told a local news agency that the new drug is a monoclonal antibody designed to prevent serious lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV in newborns and infants. The monoclonal antibody successfully mimics the body's natural antibodies to prevent or treat disease.
According to the European Drug Agency, Nirsevimab attaches to a protein on the surface of the virus and prevents it from being able to enter the body's cells, especially the lungs. As you can see, it mainly affects the virus itself, not the child's body.
The drug is administered intramuscularly. Unlike previous generation competitors, only one injection is enough to protect a child for the entire period of increased risk of RSV infection. Previous analogs had to be given to children monthly. It is also safe for children under 2 years of age.
It is recommended to use it during the cold season when the incidence of respiratory infections among children increases. People in Nunavut have a particularly hard time, because of the harsh climate there, most babies get sick. The babies are taken to hospitals in the south of Canada for treatment. Transportation takes time and hurts their health. Now they hope they won't need it anymore, and the problem can be dealt with locally.
Dr. Anna Banerjee, a specialist in infectious diseases in children, calls this vaccine a real breakthrough — now preventing respiratory tract infections in newborns and infants will be easy and affordable, and adults will suffer less asthma and runny nose.
Despite approval from the country's Ministry of Health, Canadian provinces and cities will be able to decide for themselves whether to use the new product in 2023-2024 or settle for previous analogs. The vaccine has already been successfully tested in the European Union and is used there, proving its reliability and safety.
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