Potential Effects on Elderly People From Nirsevimab Use in Infants

Overview

Journal Open Respir Arch

Specialty Pulmonary Medicine

Date 2024 Apr 15

PMID 38617129

Authors

Ivan Sanz-Munoz

Javier Castrodeza-Sanz

Jose M Eiros

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Nirsevimab therapy has the potential to revolutionize infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis. But other populations suffering RSV, such the elderly or those over 60, may also be protected by using this novel antibody in the infant group. It is true that some studies link the use of nirsevimab to a reduction in the virus's ability to spread by lowering the viral load in infants as a result of the drug's long half-life. However, this protective effect may not be very significant because RSV transmission in the elderly typically comes from other elderly people or from school-aged children. Furthermore, RSV may be transmitted at any time of the year and not just during the period of nirsevimab protection due to its existence in human reservoirs. The reasons made here show that, even though nirsevimab treatment in infants may protect the elderly, this benefit would be limited and testimonial. Therefore, immunizing the elderly with currently licensed and developing vaccines should be a priority.

Citing Articles

[Impact in the adult population of immunization with nirsevimab in children under 6 months of age against respiratory syncytial virus].

Reina J, Viana-Ramirez J Rev Esp Quimioter. 2024; 37(6):512-514.

PMID: 39010814 PMC: 11578431. DOI: 10.37201/req/049.2024.

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