RSV prophylaxis

Hand disinfection and mouth-nose protection have proved to be very effectivepreventive measures against all respiratory viruses during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the F-protein ofrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV), was the only prophylactic medication to protect high-risk preterm infants over the last 25 years; however, there were numerous difficultieswith the implementation in high-risk children, e.g., compliance, seasonal problems,monthly intramuscular administration, high costs and difficulties with the approval ofhead physicians. A new monoclonal antibody with a longer half-life (covers 5 months),nirsevimab, now offers for the first time the chance for all children, to be availablelike a vaccine and to shift the disease into the second year of life when fewer severecourses would be expected. ABRYSVO is a vaccine, which can be given to pregnantwomen in the last trimester and by passive maternal antibody transfer provides overthe subsequent months a respectable protection in the first months of life of the child.Depending on the month of birth there are now various possibilities for prophylaxis(either nirsevimab alone or in combination with ABRYSVO or ABRYSVO alone at the endof the season) to protect children from an early and severe RSV infection.