RSV-Prophylaxe

Hand disinfection and mouth-nose protection have proved to be very effective preventive measures against all respiratory viruses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the F‑protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), was the only prophylactic medication to protect high-risk preterm infants over the last 25 years; however, there were numerous difficulties with the implementation in high-risk children, e.g., compliance, seasonal problems, monthly intramuscular administration, high costs and difficulties with the approval of head physicians. A new monoclonal antibody with a longer half-life (covers 5 months), nirsevimab, now offers for the first time the chance for all children, to be available like a vaccine and to shift the disease into the second year of life when fewer severe courses would be expected. ABRYSVO is a vaccine, which can be given to pregnant women in the last trimester and by passive maternal antibody transfer provides over the subsequent months a respectable protection in the first months of life of the child. Depending on the month of birth there are now various possibilities for prophylaxis (either nirsevimab alone or in combination with ABRYSVO or ABRYSVO alone at the end of the season) to protect children from an early and severe RSV infection.