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Experts Warn Against Limiting RSV Vaccine Access
11 Jan
Summary
- RSV shots are now recommended only for high-risk infants in the US.
- Studies confirm RSV jabs dramatically reduce hospitalizations.
- Experts fear restricting access will cause RSV hospitalizations to surge.
US officials have recently restricted recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shots, now advising their use only for high-risk infants. This decision, announced by the Trump administration, is met with concern from medical experts who highlight significant evidence confirming the vaccines' success in reducing hospitalizations. Doctors report a noticeable decrease in severe illness among babies who received the shots in recent years, a trend they fear will reverse with the new limitations.
Four recent studies published in Jama reinforce these observations, indicating a substantial decline in hospitalizations directly attributable to the RSV vaccines. Prior to these widely approved vaccines in 2023, RSV was a leading cause of hospitalization for children under five. Experts express alarm that targeting only infants with existing health issues will overlook a significant portion of vulnerable babies, as 81% of those hospitalized with RSV have no underlying conditions.
Medical professionals criticize the decision, deeming it politically motivated and lacking scientific basis. Concerns linger about insurance coverage and availability through programs like the Vaccines for Children program, which serves a large number of infants. The lack of a clear definition for 'high risk' further complicates matters, with many experts arguing all infants are susceptible and should receive protection against this potentially devastating respiratory illness.
