The members of a key federal vaccine committee appointed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended a shot that protects infants against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
In the first vote since being appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr., the committee members recommended Clesrovimab, a monoclonal antibody created by pharmaceutical giant Merck, for use in infants younger than eight months born during or entering their first RSV season.
The eight new ACIP members met for the first time on June 25. Kennedy fired all 17 original members of the committee on June 9 and appointed its new members a few days later. Given the inclusion of vaccine skeptics, the approval comes as a surprise to close watchers of the panel.
How to get new infant RSV vaccine in New York
Health officials in New York have recommended parents and caregivers consult with health care providers to get details about infant RSV vaccines. Information on the new vaccine, as well as other options available to protect babies against the virus, are also available at the health.ny.gov website.
To find pharmacies and other providers giving infant RSV vaccines, you can also visit the federal vaccines.gov website.
In New York State outside of New York City, you can also contact the state Health Department’s Division of Vaccine Excellence at 518-473-4437 or by email at immunize@health.ny.gov.
If you have a question about vaccines and you live in New York City — call the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Immunization Hotline at 347-396-2400 or visit their website for more information.
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Why get the RSV shot?
RSV causes more than 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths among older Americans each year, federal data show, with CDC recommending eligible patients get the shot in late summer or early fall before infections begin to rise.
What about infants and RSV?
RSV infects nearly everyone by age 2 and typically causes cold symptoms. But it’s also the leading cause of hospitalizations among newborns and younger children. Among those under age 5, the CDC reports between 58,000 and 80,000 hospitalizations a year.
What do health officials in NY say about infant RSV vaccines?
Health officials in New York have been promoting several options for protecting infants from RSV, including a maternal vaccine for the pregnant person that protects the baby or preventive antibodies given directly to the baby after birth.
Pregnant people in weeks 32 through 36 and six days are encouraged to get the vaccine during the months of September through January to protect infants from birth to six months. Only Pfizer’s vaccine Abrysvo is approved for use during pregnancy.
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RFK Jr.’s vaccine committee’s newly recommended infant RSV vaccine was the second immunization option for protecting babies against the illness. The first, a shot from Sanofi and AstraZeneca called Beyfortus, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2023 and prevents RSV lower respiratory tract disease in infants entering or during their first RSV season.
“No one wants their baby to be sick. We do not have specific medicine to treat respiratory syncytial virus, we do have (ways) to prevent this however,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in 2024, recommending people get Beyfortus, also known as Nirsevimab, to protect infants.
Includes reporting by Adrianna Rodriguez of USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Where to get new infant RSV vaccine in New York after RFK Jr.’s committee backs it
Reporting by David Robinson, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
