Nirsevimab: Towards universal child immunization against respiratory syncytial virus

Abstract

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes epidemic acute respiratory pathologies especially in young children and the elderly. There is currently no effective vaccine against this virus. An alternative to prevent RSV disease is passive immunoprophylaxis through the administration of neutralising antibodies. In 2002, palivizumab was approved for children at risk of RSV. However, its high cost and its monthly administration do not allow it to be used as universal prophylaxis. In 2017, the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab, which has a power and activity 50 times higher than palivizumab, was described as having a half-life of at least 5 months. Clinical trials have shown the efficacy and safety of nirsevimab in preventing both the disease and hospital admissions associated with RSV in premature and full-term infants, both healthy and with previous cardiopulmonary pathologies. With this monoclonal antibody, universal immunisation is feasible (vaccine-like strategy).