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Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
In July 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new drug nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus) for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in infants born in or entering their first RSV season, and for children up to age 24 months who are at high risk entering their second RSV season. In clinical trials, immunization with nirsevimab cut infant hospitalization and clinical visit risk by up to 80%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet on August 3, 2023 to vote on recommendations for the use of nirsevimab.
The ACIP will vote on two recommendations for nirsevimab. The first is whether or not to recommend immunization with nirsevimab for all infants born in or entering their first RSV season. The second is whether or not to recommend nirsevimab for certain, high risk infants up to 24 months who are entering their second RSV season. Following the August 3 meeting, CDC will issue clinical considerations that detail which populations of infants will be recommended for a second dose.
As studies have shown that American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) infants are at elevated risk for hospitalization from RSV compared to the general population, ACIP is considering including AIAN children in the high-risk group to be recommended for a second dose of nirsevimab. ACIP is seeking input from Tribal Nations and leaders on whether or not AIAN infants should be included in this high-risk group recommended for a second immunization dose.
CDC is seeking input on this matter by midnight Eastern time on August 12, 2023. Written input can be submitted to the CDC ACIP by emailing CORVDPolicy@cdc.gov
and copying TribalSupport@cdc.gov.
For more information, please contact Ashton Martin, USET SPF Health Policy Analyst, at amartin@usetinc.org.
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