Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prevention Program
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The CHOC respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention program provides monthly palivizumab (Synagis®) injections to infants and young children who are at high risk of hospitalization if they become infected with RSV.
CHOC offers the only specialized RSV prevention program in Southern California with access to a full team of board-certified physicians, specialized pediatric nurse practitioners and a care coordinator.
About RSV
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia in babies. It is an illness that often occurs in yearly outbreaks in communities, school classrooms and daycare centers. In the United States, RSV is more common in winter and early spring months.
Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to be administered to high-risk infants and young children likely to benefit from immunoprophylaxis based on gestational age, certain underlying medical conditions, and RSV seasonality. It is given in monthly intramuscular injections during the RSV season, which generally occurs during fall, winter and spring in most locations in the United States.
Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody product that is a passive immunization. While not technically a “vaccine” in a traditional sense (active immunization), it is being used in a manner similar to routine childhood vaccines and may be referred to as a vaccine by some entities. Nirsevimab confers long-lasting protection from RSV, with protection expected to last at least five months (about the length of a typical RSV season). Nirsevimab is part of the Vaccines for Children program.
Who qualifies to receive nirsevimab?
- All infants under eight months between the months of October through March who have not received it in the last five months.
- Most infants whose mothers received RSV vaccination (like Abrysvo or the RSV prefusion F protein vaccine) 14 days prior to birth do not need Beyfortus. However, some infants who are considered high-risk for severe RSV, even if their mother got the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, may still be recommended to receive Beyfortus.
- High-risk infants ages 8-19 months entering their second RSV season and belonging to the following groups:
- Children with chronic lung disease of prematurity who required medical support (chronic corticosteroid therapy, diuretic therapy, or supplemental oxygen) any time during the 6-month period before the start of the second RSV season.
- Children who are severely immunocompromised.
- Children with cystic fibrosis who have signs of severe lung disease (previous hospitalization for pulmonary exacerbation in the first year of life or abnormalities on chest imaging that persist when stable) or weight-for-length in <10th percentile.
- American Indian and Alaska Native children.
- We offer the only specialized RSV prevention program in Southern California.
- RSV patients have access to a full team of board-certified physicians and specialized pediatric nurses.
- Our RSV program provides integrated services from a multitude of physicians, such as pulmonologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists and more.
- RSV patients are assigned a care coordinator who will help obtain insurance authorizations, schedule appointments, send reminders and follow-up with you regarding your child’s health.
- Your child we be examined by a specialized nurse practitioner at every appointment. The medical assistant will then administer the injection and provide education regarding aftercare.
- The RSV prevention program is designed to complement the services of your child’s primary care physician and other specialists by providing supplementary care.
- In addition to your child’s primary treatment, we offer our patients expert rehabilitation services, psychosocial support, the very latest integrative health services, and access to our High-Risk Infant Follow-Up Clinic.
- CHOC provides patient- and family-centered care to our patients and families to meet the needs of your child in the best way possible.
- We have the most comprehensive child life program in the region.