RSV vaccine: New shot offers hope for infants during cold, flu season

CHICAGO - In the midst of cold and flu season, a new shot is intended to help our youngest population fight off RSV, a virus that can be deadly, especially in newborns and very small children.

Every year, according to the CDC, there are up to 80,000 RSV-related hospitalizations in children 5 and under. There are 100-300 RSV-related deaths in the U.S. every year.

In July, the FDA approved the RSV shot for babies, the first of its kind. However, the CDC recommended it in October, dangerously close to the start of cold and flu season, and supply has been challenging to secure.

"It was a very quick turnaround for people to have to get it into their offices, people to figure out, you know, all like how they're going to distribute it," said Dr. Jennifer Saper with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

It’s not a vaccine, but rather an antibody. It’s given during RSV season that protects babies for about 5 months, but now the demand is outpacing the supply.

"As a pediatrician, it's exciting that people are interested in getting it, but the supply has been less than the demand," Dr. Saper said.

She says there are two different doses based on the baby’s weight. Newborns under 5 kilograms or 11 pounds have a good chance of receiving a small dose. It’s the bigger dose for bigger babies that is running out.

"Because it's a much larger population," she explained. "Most babies are five kilograms pretty quickly and so you think about infants entering this season. A lot of infants were already over the weight when it came available."

The CDC urges doctors to reserve available doses for infants with a higher risk of complications, including those with heart and lung conditions.

For pregnant mothers, there is one more option.

"If people are pregnant, and it's 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, they can get the pregnancy vaccine which offers similar protection to the infant," said Dr. Saper.

She advised parents seeking the shot for their child to continue asking their pediatrician, as more doses may become available.

Just last week, the manufacturer announced that after a meeting with White House officials, an additional 230,000 doses will be released in January.