The drug is currently in shortage of supply That’s because manufacturers say they didn’t properly predict the huge demand.
“Government officials emphasized the importance of manufacturers like Sanofi and AstraZeneca working with a sense of urgency to meet demand as we head into the winter season,” the White House said in a statement.
“Monday’s meeting follows a number of in-person and virtual meetings to explore ways for manufacturers to make RSV vaccination available to more infants,” the White House added.
Officials and manufacturers also agreed to start planning for next year to avoid the same problems.
This year first time Vaccination against RSV, a common respiratory virus, will become available to infants and the elderly. There will be no shortage of shots for adults 60 and older.
Last year, large numbers of young children became infected with RSV much faster than usual, overwhelming children’s hospitals and emergency rooms across the country.
Nilsevimab, sold as Beyfortusis a monoclonal antibody rather than a traditional vaccine. This means that babies directly receive antibodies that protect against severe RSV, rather than helping them develop their immune system.
The drug is one of two treatments available in the United States that can protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus, which is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations nationwide.Reduces infant hospitalization risk by approximately half 80 percent And it was hailed as a game changer.
But shortages have plagued the country since Beyfortas was approved earlier this year. Sanofi said pediatricians and hospitals are struggling to keep vaccinations in stock due to “unprecedented” demand.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration said they will continue to work closely with manufacturers to ensure additional doses are available through the end of this year. Early 2024 To meet demand.
The CDC announced earlier this month that it had rushed to distribute 77,000 additional doses, but that is not expected to be nearly enough to alleviate the shortage.
According to the CDC, the number of RSV infections in the United States has been rapidly increasing since mid-October, with at least 7,557 cases currently detected.
