High fever above 38°C (especially in infants under three months old)
If any of these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention, especially for infants under one year old as their symptoms can be harder to detect due to their limited ability to communicate. If there is any concern or noticeable abnormality, take the child to a hospital promptly for evaluation and treatment to reduce the severity of the illness.
Preventing RSV infection and reducing severity with monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab)
The monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention is not a vaccine; it works to prevent infection through a process called passive immunization. Passive RSV immunization involves administering RSV-specific antibodies (Nirsevimab) to provide immediate protection against the virus. It is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of infection and severe illness in children.
Monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) can be administered to children from birth to 2 years old. It can be given during the RSV season as the immunity develops immediately after injection. According to the recommendation of the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand, monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) is advised as follows:
First Season
It is recommended for high-risk infants from birth to 12 months who are vulnerable to severe RSV infection. High-risk infants include:
- Infants with chronic lung disease due to premature birth (BPD) who still require treatment with steroids, diuretics or oxygen within 6 months before RSV season
- Children with severe immunodeficiency
- Children with severe cystic fibrosis, such as those who have been hospitalized for lung disease exacerbation in their first year of life, have abnormalities on chest X-rays, or suffer from malnutrition (weight-for-length < 10th percentile)
- Children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease for which they are still receiving treatment
Notes:
For infants born during the RSV season, monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) can be given immediately after birth.
Recommended dosage:
Infants weighing more than 5 kg: 100 mg single intramuscular injection.
Second Season
It may be considered for children aged 19–24 months who are at risk of severe RSV infection.
Notes: The administration of monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) depends on the child's weight and age. A pediatrician should always be consulted before receiving the immunization, and a doctor should assess the need for each case.
Recommended dosage: Monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) should be administered at a dose of 200 mg (two 100 mg injections given simultaneously at two intramuscular sites).
Monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) is highly safe, with minimal adverse effects. Side effects are rare and usually mild. The most common reactions include rashes (0.9% of cases), fever (0.5% of cases) and injection site reactions (0.3% of cases).
Monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention (Nirsevimab) should not be administered to children with a history of severe allergic reactions to Nirsevimab or its components, such as arginine or histidine.
Helps lower healthcare costs, as RSV-related hospital expenses for children under five in Thailand amount to approximately 1.75 billion THB annually, with an average hospital stay of six days.
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