The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to provide options for clinicians to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the context of a limited supply of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization product recommended for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants.
In the context of limited supply during the 2023–2024 RSV season, CDC recommends prioritizing available nirsevimab (100mg) doses for infants that are 6 months and under, as they are the most at risk. Any infant with underlying conditions that could put them at high risk for RSV should also be prioritized.
Providers should be aware that some insurers may not cover the cost of two 50mg doses for an individual infant.
CDC further recommends that providers suspend using nirsevimab in children aged 8–19 months for the 2023–2024 RSV season.
These children should receive palivizumab per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations.
Nirsevimab should continue to be offered to American Indian and Alaska Native children aged 8–19 months who are not palivizumab-eligible and who live in remote regions, where transporting children with severe RSV for medical care is more challenging or in communities with known high rates of RSV among older infants and toddlers.
