Empfehlungen der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde zur Prophylaxe einer RSV-Infektion mit Nirsevimab
摘要
In 2023 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the novel long-acting monoclonal antibody nirsevimab directed against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease. Demonstrating an efficacy of 75–80% for the prevention of severe disease, nirsevimab significantly reduces RSV-associated hospitalizations and severe lower respiratory tract infections. An Austrian expert panel discussed the new approach of RSV prophylaxis (nirsevimab only one injection per season for all children compared to palivizumab monthly injections for 5 months only for high-risk infants) at two meetings. By consensus, the panel advocates for the administration of nirsevimab to all infants prior to or during the first RSV season, spanning from October/November to March, with particular at-risk children also being eligible for protection in a second season. The Austrian Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine underscores the importance of safeguarding all newborns and infants from severe RSV infections in their first season and, based on the current evidence, endorses nirsevimab as the preferred method for RSV prophylaxis, unless the mother had received an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. However, this recommendation may change as more data on the effectiveness of nirsevimab in high-risk children emerges.