Preventing RSV

(full update August 2024)

RSV is a common virus that infects most children before the age of two years.1,2 Infection does not confer long-term immunity, which leads to continual reinfection throughout a patient’s lifetime.1 This FAQ answers common questions about severe RSV infection risk and the products used to prevent it.

Question

Answer/Pertinent Information

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) typically causes mild, self-limiting (one to two weeks) cold-like symptoms.3

Serious RSV infections can cause respiratory distress, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, hospitalization, and death.2,4

The typical season for RSV is from fall through late winter (i.e., October/November to March/April).2,5

Who is at risk of severe RSV disease?

Those at risk of severe RSV disease include:

Infants and children less than two years.

  • RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization of infants in the US and Canada.5,21,22

Children with lung disease (e.g., congenital airway anomalies, chronic lung disease of prematurity, cystic fibrosis), congenital heart disease, neuromuscular disorders, Down syndrome, immunosuppressive disorders, and some infants in remote communities (e.g., American Indian, Alaska Native children).2,4,6-8

Older adults and patients with chronic lung disease, heart disease, or immunosuppressive disorders.2

How can RSV be prevented?

RSV is transmitted via respiratory droplets (inhaled and from contact with contaminated surfaces).5,9

  • Prevent transmission of RSV (and other respiratory illnesses) by:9
    • coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your shirt sleeve/elbow (not your hands).
    • washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
    • avoiding close contact with people (i.e., stay at home) when you feel ill (i.e., cold-like symptoms).
    • cleaning frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, mobile devices).

  • Monoclonal antibody formulations (nirsevimab, palivizumab) are available to prevent RSV in infants and young children (see below for details).

    • provide passive immunization.
    • protection wanes over time.
    • must be administered in a clinic or hospital.

RSV vaccines are available for pregnant patients and older adults (see below for more details).

Infants can be protected with either maternal immunization OR monoclonal antibodies (see sections below for preferred choices). Most infants do not need both.21

Who should get the monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab (Beyfortus)?

Nirsevimab is FDA- and Health Canada-indicated for the prevention of RSV infection in:6,11

  • all infants born during or entering their first RSV season.
  • children up to 24 months of age who are at risk of severe RSV disease during their second RSV season.

US recommendations: ACIP recommends nirsevimab for infants <8 months born during or entering their first RSV season and children aged 8 to 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease entering their second RSV season.5,c

  • If RSV prevention has been initiated with palivizumab and less than five doses of palivizumab have been administered, the infant should receive one dose of nirsevimab. No further palivizumab should be administered.5
  • Nirsevimab should be administered during season two (as indicated) regardless of which monoclonal antibody was administered during season one.

Canadian recommendations: NACI recommends nirsevimab for infants, prioritized as follows:19

  • Priority 1:
    • Infants born during or entering their first RSV season who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.d
    • Infants entering their second RSV season who are at continued increased risk of severe RSV disease.e
  • Priority 2:
    • Consider for any infant less than 8 months of age born during or entering their first RSV season.

Who should get the monoclonal antibody, palivizumab (Synagis)?

Palivizumab is indicated for the prevention of RSV infection in high-risk infants and toddlers.9,10,12

Nirsevimab is preferred over palivizumab for the prevention of RSV infection.19

If nirsevimab is not available or not feasible to administer, palivizumab can be administered to high-risk patients (see guidelines for specific high-risk indications for palivizumab use).5,19 

  • For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends palivizumab (if nirsevimab is not available) for:4,12
    • infants born before 29 weeks gestation and who are younger than 12 months at the beginning of the RSV season.
    • infants under one year of age with chronic lung disease of prematurity. During the second year of life, palivizumab can be considered if these children have continued to require medical support during the six months prior to RSV season.
    • palivizumab can also be considered for patients:4,12
      • younger than 24 months who are profoundly immunocompromised during the RSV season.
      • younger than 12 months:
        • with a pulmonary or neurological abnormality that impairs clearance of upper airway secretions.
        • who have hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease.

Can monoclonal antibodies be given with vaccines?

Nirsevimab can be given at the same time as routine childhood vaccines.5

  • Give each dose in a separate syringe and at different injection sites.

How do the available RSV monoclonal antibodies compare?

Palivizumab (Synagis)9,10

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus)6,11

How Supplied

Single-dose vials:

50 mg/0.5 mL, 100 mg/1 mL

Single-dose prefilled syringes:

50 mg/0.5 mL, 100 mg/1 mL

Storage

Refrigerate (2°C to 8°C).

Opened vials may be kept (refrigerated) for up to
6 hours.25

Store in original packaging.

Do not shake.

Refrigerate (2°C to 8°C).

May be kept at room temperature (20°C to 25°C) for up to 8 hours.

Store in original packaging to protect from light.

Do not shake.

Dosing

15 mg/kg IM monthly throughout the RSV season.

Give an additional dose to children following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (even if less than one month since last dose).7,9

It is recommended to stop monthly palivizumab if a child has an RSV hospitalization.7,12

Usual duration is four to five months.7,9

First RSV season:

  • Less than 5 kg: 50 mg IM x one dose
  • 5 kg or more: 100 mg IM x one dose

Second RSV season:

  • 200 mg IM x one dose

Give an additional dose to children following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. See footnote “b” for dosing.

Adverse Effects

Rash, fever, severe hypersensitivity reactions

Rash, injection site reactions.

Potential for serious hypersensitivity reactions.

Usual Admin Site

Anterolateral thigh preferred.

Avoid the gluteal muscle.

Anterolateral thigh preferred.

Avoid the gluteal muscle.

Cost (US)a

~$1,800/50 mg

$520/50 mg or 100 mg syringe

Who should get an RSV vaccine?

A single dose of RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults 75 years and older (especially those at increased risk of severe RSV disease [Canada]).16,28

For adults 60 to 74 years, RSV vaccine is recommended for:

  • ACIP (US): patients who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.16
  • NACI (Canada): residents of chronic care facilities and nursing homes. Can also consider for patients based on individual decisions in consultation with healthcare providers.28

In addition, the RSV vaccine Abrysvo is recommended for:

  • Pregnant patients (32 weeks through 36 weeks gestation) to prevent RSV disease in newborns:
    • ACIP (US) recommends Abrysvo for seasonal use (usually September through January).21 One lifetime dose is currently recommended (i.e., repeat dosing with subsequent pregnancies is not recommended due to lack of data).20
    • NACI (Canada) recommends shared decision making (taking into account gestational timing and RSV season) rather than routine vaccination.19

How do the available RSV vaccines compare?

 

 

Abrysvo13,24

Arexvy17,18

mRESVIA (US only)23

Vaccine type

non-adjuvanted

adjuvanted (with AS01E)

mRNA

Approved indications

for the prevention of RSV in:

  • pregnant patients, 32 to
    36 weeks gestation (to prevent RSV in newborns via placental transfer of antibodies).
  • patients 60 years and older.

for the prevention of RSV in patients:

  • 60 years and older.
  • 50 to 59 years who are at increased risk of LRTD caused by RSV (US only).

for the prevention of RSV in patients 60 years and older.

Dosing

0.5 mL IM x one dose

0.5 mL IM x one dose

0.5 mL IM x one dose

Use in pregnant patients

There is a potential risk of preterm birth with Abrysvo. To avoid this risk, do not administer Abrysvo prior to 32 weeks gestation. Patients at risk of preterm birth were generally excluded from the studies.

There are no data on the administration of Arexvy in pregnant patients.

There are no data on the administration of mRESVIA in pregnant patients.

Storage

Refrigerate (2°C to 8°C) in the original packaging.

Refrigerate (2°C to 8°C) in the original packaging to protect from light.

Store frozen (-40°C to -15°C).

After thawing, can be refrigerated (2°C to 8°C) for up to 30 days OR stored at room temperature (8°C to 25°C) for up to 24 hours.

Do not return to fridge once at room temperature.

Do not refreeze.

Reconstitution and stability

Reconstitute with the diluent provided. Use immediately or keep at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) and use within four hours.

Reconstitute with the diluent provided. Use immediately or refrigerate (2°C to 8°C) and use within four hours.

Thaw in fridge (2°C to 8°C) for
60 minutes (155 minutes for larger 10-syringe carton). Prior to admin, let sit at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes.

OR

Thaw at room temperature
(15°C to 25°C) for 45 minutes (140 minutes for 10-syringe carton).

Abrysvo13,24

Arexvy17,18

mRESVIA (US only)23

Efficacy

Data show moderate to high efficacy of one dose of Abrysvo in older adults for the prevention of RSV-associated symptomatic LRTD and medically attended LRTD over two RSV seasons [Evidence Level A-1].14

CDC data from RSV vaccine use during the 2023-2024 season showed reduced hospitalization, critical illness (ICU admission, death), and ED visits in patients 60 years and older.29

Infants born to pregnant patients who were given Abrysvo, had a significantly reduced risk of severe LRTD at both 90 days and 180 days after birth [Evidence Level A-1].15

Data show moderate to high efficacy of one dose of Arexvy in older adults for the prevention of RSV-associated symptomatic LRTD and medically attended LRTD over two RSV seasons [Evidence Level A-1].14

CDC data from RSV vaccine use during the 2023-2024 season showed reduced hospitalization, critical illness (ICU admission, death), and ED visits in patients 60 years and older.29

Data show moderate to high efficacy of one dose of mRESVIA in older adults for the prevention of RSV-associated symptomatic LRTD over a median follow-up of 3.7 months (first interim analysis; follow-up is ongoing) [Evidence Level A-1].26,27

  • Data on the prevention of RSV-associated medical attention, hospitalization, severe illness, and death are lacking.

Costa

Per dose:

  • $295 (US)
  • $250 (Canada)

Per dose:

  • $280 (US)
  • $250 (Canada)

Per dose:

  • $290

Abbreviations: ACIP = Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; admin = administration; CADTH = Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency; IM = intramuscular; LRTD = lower respiratory tract disease; NACI = National Advisory Committee on Immunization; RSV = respiratory syncytial virus.

  1. Pricing based on wholesale acquisition cost (WAC). US medication pricing by Elsevier, accessed July 2024.
  2. Once infants are stable following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, administer an additional dose of nirsevimab to ensure adequate serum levels. If it is the child’s first RSV season and within 90 days of the initial nirsevimab dose, give a weight-based dose (<5 kg: 50 mg; ≥5 kg: 100 mg). If it has been more than 90 days since the initial nirsevimab dose, give a 50 mg dose. If it is the child’s second RSV season and within 90 days of the initial nirsevimab dose, give a 200 mg dose. If it has been more than 90 days since the initial nirsevimab dose, give a 100 mg dose.6,11
  3. In the US, nirsevimab is recommended for children between the ages of 8 and 19 months, entering their second RSV season, with increased risk of severe RSV disease:5
    • chronic lung disease of prematurity, requiring medical support during the six months prior to RSV season.
    • severe immunocompromise.
    • cystic fibrosis with manifestations of severe lung disease OR abnormalities on chest imaging that persist when stable OR weight-for-length rate is less than the 10th percentile.
    • American Indian or Alaska Native children.
  4. In Canada, nirsevimab is recommended for infants during their first RSV season with increased risk of severe RSV disease:19
    • all infants born at less than 37 weeks gestational age.
    • chronic lung disease (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia) requiring ongoing assisted ventilation, oxygen therapy, or chronic medical therapy in the six months prior to RSV season.
    • cystic fibrosis with respiratory involvement and/or growth delay.
    • hemodynamically significant chronic cardiac disease.
    • severe immunodeficiency.
    • severe congenital airway anomalies that impair the clearing of respiratory secretions.
    • Down syndrome.
    • infants whose transportation for treatment of severe RSV is complex (e.g., remote communities) and/or if risk intersects with established social and structural health determinants (e.g., some First Nations, Metis, and Inuit populations).
  5. In Canada, nirsevimab is recommended for infants during their second RSV season with ongoing risk of severe RSV disease:19
    • All risks listed in footnote “d” above except for infants born prior to 37 weeks gestational age and infants with Down syndrome.

Levels of Evidence

In accordance with our goal of providing Evidence-Based information, we are citing the LEVEL OF EVIDENCE for the clinical recommendations we publish.

Level

Definition

Study Quality

A

Good-quality patient-oriented evidence.*
  1. High-quality randomized controlled trial (RCT)
  2. Systematic review (SR)/Meta-analysis of RCTs with consistent findings
  3. All-or-none study

B

Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.*
  1. Lower-quality RCT
  2. SR/Meta-analysis with low-quality clinical trials or of studies with inconsistent findings
  3. Cohort study
  4. Case control study

C

Consensus; usual practice; expert opinion; disease-oriented evidence (e.g., physiologic or surrogate endpoints); case series for studies of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or screening.

*Outcomes that matter to patients (e.g., morbidity, mortality, symptom improvement, quality of life).

[Adapted from Ebell MH, Siwek J, Weiss BD, et al. Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT): a patient-centered approach to grading evidence in the medical literature. Am Fam Physician 2004;69:548-56. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0201/p548.html.]

References

  1. Jain H, Schweitzer JW, Justice NA. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. [Updated 2023 Jun 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459215/.
  2. Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): for health professionals. June 21, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/health-professionals.html. (Accessed July 17, 2024).
  3. CDC. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), symptoms of RSV. June 5, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/symptoms/index.html. (Accessed July 17, 2024).
  4. Caserta MT, O'Leary ST, Munoz FM, et al. Palivizumab Prophylaxis in Infants and Young Children at Increased Risk of Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Pediatrics. 2023 Jul 1;152(1):e2023061803.
  5. Jones JM, Fleming-Dutra KE, Prill MM, et al. Use of Nirsevimab for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Among Infants and Young Children: Recommendations of the A­dvisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Aug 25;72(34):920-925.
  6. Product monograph for Beyfortus. AstraZeneca Canada. Mississauga, ON L4Y 1M4. June 2024.
  7. Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Canadian Immunization Guide. Last modified May 17, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus.html. (Accessed June 18, 2024).
  8. Atwell JE, Hartman RM, Parker D, et al. RSV Among American Indian and Alaska Native Children: 2019 to 2020. Pediatrics. 2023 Aug 1;152(2):e2022060435.
  9. Product information for Synagis. Sobi. Waltham, MA 02451. November 2020.
  10. Product monograph for Synagis. AstraZeneca Canada. Mississauga, ON L4Y 1M4. July 2021.
  11. Product information for Beyfortus. Sanofi Pasteur. Swiftwater, PA 18370. February 2024.
  12. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases; American Academy of Pediatrics Bronchiolitis Guidelines Committee. Updated guidance for palivizumab prophylaxis among infants and young children at increased risk of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus infection. Pediatrics. 2014 Aug;134(2):415-20. Erratum in: Pediatrics. 2014 Dec;134(6):1221.
  13. Product information for Abrysvo. Pfizer. New York, NY 10001. March 2024.
  14. Melgar M, Britton A, Roper Leet al. Use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines in Older Adults: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Jul 21;72(29):793-801.
  15. Kampmann B, Madhi SA, Munjal I, et al. Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants. N Engl J Med. 2023 Apr 20;388(16):1451-1464.
  16. CDC. ACIP Recommendations. June 28, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/recommendations.html. (Accessed July 17, 2024).
  17. Product information for Arexvy. GlaxoSmithKline. Durham, NC 27701. April 2023.
  18. Product monograph for Arexvy. GlaxoSmithKline. Mississauga, ON L5R 4H1. August 2023.
  19. Government of Canada. An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS). National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Statement on the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in infants. May 17, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-statement-prevention-respiratory-syncytial-virus-disease-infants/naci-statement-2024-05-17.pdf. (Accessed July 17, 2024).
  20. Fleming-Dutra KE, Jones JM, Roper LE, et al. Use of the Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine During Pregnancy for the Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Disease in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Oct 13;72(41):1115-1122.
  21. CDC. Healthcare providers: RSV vaccination for pregnant people. September 29, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/pregnant-people.html. (Accessed October 6, 2023).
  22. Buchan SA, Chung H, To T, et al. Estimating the Incidence of First RSV Hospitalization in Children Born in Ontario, Canada. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2023 Jul 31;12(7):421-430.
  23. Product information for mRESVIA. Moderna US. Princeton, NJ 08540. May 2024.
  24. Product monograph for Abrysvo. Pfizer Canada. Kirkland, QC H9J 2M5. December 2023.
  25. Government of Canada. Recommended use of palivizumab to reduce complications of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants. June 1, 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/palivizumab-respiratory-syncitial-virus-infection-infants.html. (Accessed July 17, 2024).
  26. Wilson E, Goswami J, Baqui AH, et al. Efficacy and Safety of an mRNA-Based RSV PreF Vaccine in Older Adults. N Engl J Med. 2023 Dec 14;389(24):2233-2244.
  27. FDA. Summary basis for regulatory action – mResvia. May 31, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/media/179634/download?attachment. (Accessed July 18, 2024).
  28. Government of Canada. Summary of NACI statement of July 12, 2024: statement on the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease in older adults. July 12, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-summary-statement-prevention-rsv-disease-older-adults.html. (Accessed July 22, 2024).
  29. CDC. Healthcare providers: RSV vaccination for adults 60 years of age and over. July 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/older-adults.html#vaccine-efficacy. (Accessed July 22, 2024).

Cite this document as follows: Clinical Resource, Preventing RSV. Pharmacist’s Letter/Pharmacy Technician’s Letter/Prescriber Insights. August 2024. [400801]

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