Summary
- While there are now three RSV vaccines approved for adults, there are not any vaccines currently approved for children.
- The FDA has approved two RSV immunizations for infants and young children: Beyfortus (nirsevimab) and Synagis (palivizumab).
- Beyfortus is recommended by the CDC for newborns and babies under 8 months old who are entering their first RSV seasons (fall through spring in the U.S.). It is also recommended for high-risk children up to 19 months old.
- Synagis is a second option for certain babies and young children to prevent RSV, and must be given every month during RSV season.
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Beyfortus is preferred over Synagis.
Can children be vaccinated against RSV?
While there are now three RSV vaccines approved for older adults and pregnant women, there are currently no RSV vaccines approved for children. However, there are two RSV immunizations approved by the FDA for infants and children called Synagis and Beyfortus. These aren’t considered vaccines because they don’t stimulate your child’s immune system to make antibodies against RSV. Instead, antibodies are given directly to your child through an injection of one of these medications.
Who is eligible for RSV immunization?
As of October 2024, current CDC recommendations for RSV immunizations for children are as follows:
Beyfortus can be given once per RSV season to children up to 24 months. It is recommended for babies younger than 8 months old born to moms who did not get a maternal RSV vaccine. If they are born during October and March, they should get a dose within 1 week of birth. For children 8 to 19 months old who are at a high risk for severe RSV illness, they should get a dose before RSV season.
Synagis can be given to babies 6 months or younger at the beginning of RSV season, and certain children up to 2 years old who have certain conditions that put them at a higher risk for RSV. It must be given every month throughout RSV season.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Beyfortus is preferred over Synagis. The reasons being due to how well each works, how long they last, and convenience. For children over 2 years old, we don’t currently have any type of RSV vaccine or immunization that is approved for this age group.
Because recommendations can change, always check with your child’s healthcare provider to find out if they should receive RSV protection.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. 2024. AAP Recommendations for the Prevention of RSV Disease in Infants and Children. Accessed 10/21/2024 at https://publications.aap.org/redbook/resources/25379/AAP-Recommendations-for-the-Prevention-of-RSV?autologincheck=redirected
Beyfortus [package insert]. Updated 08/2024. Sanofi Pasteur Inc. Accessed 10/21/24 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2f08fa60-f674-432d-801b-1f9514bd9b39
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. Immunizations to Protect Infants. Accessed 10/21/2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/protect-infants.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. Options for Infant RSV Prevention. Accessed 10/21/2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/downloads/Infant-RSV-Prevention-At-A-Glance.pdf
Synagis [package insert]. Updated 11/2021. Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB. Accessed 10/21/24 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3a0096c7-8139-44cd-bba4-520ab05c2cb2
