Limited supply of RSV vaccine for babies

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - If you’re looking to get the new shot to protect your baby against a common respiratory virus this winter, it might take a lot of effort to find it.

There is a limited supply of the RSV vaccine for babies. Federal health officials have a plan to ship out doses every 2 to 3 weeks.

One manufacturer said despite planning based on past rollouts of pediatric vaccinations, demand this year has outpaced supply.

This is important because it’s peak RSV season and babies are at-risk because of their immature immune systems.

Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending doctors reserve doses of the drug Beyfortus. It’s a new therapy against RSV for babies who are at higher risk and babies under 6 months who have underlying health conditions.

The CDC also recommends doctors stop using Beyfortus for babies between 8 and 19 months old. The reason being, they may be eligible for different protection with a medication called Synagis.

The CDC wants doctors to talk with pregnant women about the new maternal vaccine for RSV, which would also protect their newborn. It’s definitely worth talking to your pediatrician about this in the meantime.

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