Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Helen Branswell
Published on 2024-03-07 18:00:07
A new monoclonal antibody product has shown promising results in protecting children from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). According to recent data, the product was 90% effective at preventing hospitalization due to RSV in little children during its first season of use. The data, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked at how well Beyfortus worked in children who received the drug.
Dr. Sean O’Leary, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, expressed optimism about the results, stating that the effectiveness of Beyfortus in real-world settings exceeded expectations based on clinical trial data. Developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Sanofi, Beyfortus was found to be 79% effective in preventing infections requiring medical care and 81% effective in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations within 150 days of administration in clinical trials.
The study highlighted the importance of timely administration of Beyfortus, as the effectiveness of the antibodies in the product may decline over the course of an entire RSV season. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in young children and older adults. In the United States, thousands of children under the age of 5 are hospitalized each year due to RSV infections.
Although Beyfortus does not completely prevent RSV infections, it significantly reduces the severity of the illness and prevents many hospitalizations. Unlike the existing monoclonal antibody product Synagis, which requires monthly administrations and is expensive, Beyfortus is designed for universal use in young children and is administered in a single dose. Despite its high cost, efforts were made to overcome barriers to its deployment in healthcare settings.
However, the high demand for Beyfortus led to shortages, prompting the CDC to recommend rationing available doses and prioritizing infants under 6 months of age. The manufacturers are working to ensure an adequate supply for the upcoming RSV season. Approximately 40.5% of eligible babies received Beyfortus in the most recent season.
Challenges faced during the initial rollout may be addressed in future seasons, with the potential availability of additional RSV monoclonal antibody products. Dr. O’Leary believes that these products could have a significant impact on reducing RSV-related illnesses in children, similar to the effect of rotavirus vaccines. The goal is to transform RSV season into a thing of the past, much like what happened with the rotavirus season after the vaccine was introduced.
In conclusion, Beyfortus has shown promising results in protecting children from severe RSV infections, but challenges remain in ensuring widespread access to the product. With ongoing efforts to improve distribution and availability, there is hope for a more effective strategy to combat RSV in children in the future.
