Pediatria Polska (Dec 2024)

Prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. Recommendations of the Polish Society of Paediatrics and the National Paediatric Consultant

  • Teresa Jackowska,
  • August Wrotek,
  • Iwona Beń-Skowronek,
  • Łukasz Dembiński,
  • Tomasz Jarmoliński,
  • Artur Mazur,
  • Anna Medyńska,
  • Katarzyna Plata-Nazar,
  • Jan Styczyński,
  • Tomasz Szczepański,
  • Ewa Toporowska-Kowalska,
  • Piotr Hartmann,
  • Hanna Czajka,
  • Jarosław Peregud-Pogorzelski

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5114/polp.2024.146429
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 99, no. 4
pp. 275 – 282

Abstract

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important etiological agents of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children (LRTI-RSV). RSV infection occurs in almost all children during the first 2 years of life. RSV is one of the main causes of hospitalisation in the first year of life and especially in the first months of life. In Poland, the monoclonal antibody palivizumab (Synagis) is currently available to protect infants against RSV as part of a drug programme. It is provided exclusively for premature infants and children at risk and should be administered monthly during the RSV season. Two new methods of prophylaxis against RSV infection are currently available worldwide: a vaccine (Abrysvo, Pfizer) and a monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab, AstraZeneca and Sanofi Pasteur). The Abrysvo vaccine is administered to mothers to give their babies protection against RSV infection. The Abrysvo vaccine is recommended for women at 32–36 weeks of pregnancy. In Poland, it is already available in pharmacies, at full price. The monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (AstraZeneca and Sanofi Pasteur) is used in newborns and infants to protect against severe RSV infection. It is currently not available in Poland, although it is registered in Europe. The paper presents current recommendations for the use of palivizumab (Synagis) in Poland, as well as current studies and recommendations from scientific societies and expert groups on the use of the Abrysvo vaccine and the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus). The paper also presents the rationale for the introduction of the health policy programme ”Nationwide health prevention programme: single passive immunisation with a monoclonal antibody for the prevention of lower respiratory tract infections caused by RS virus for 2025–2030”, submitted by the Polish Paediatric Society to the Ministry of Health in March 2024.

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