Syncytial virus risks of “blanket” vaccination for newborns

The Italian Institute of Health (ISS), in a note addressed to the Ministry of Health, warns that the administration «to the carpet», or all the new-born, of the monoclonal antibody NirsevimabBeyfortus against respiratory infections by the syncytial virus may not be appropriate and also pose potential risks. A prudent assessment of the cost-benefit ratio of administering the treatment in healthy children, who are therefore at low risk, is warranted based on the clinical studies conducted thus far. While the drug appears to be sufficiently safe, it cannot be considered to be completely risk-free. In any case, the drug represents a valuable preventive tool for subjects suffering from concomitant pathologies or with risk factors. Another element to be considered is the classification of the drug in the non-refundable class, or entirely at the patients’ expense. The note, signed by the president of ISS Rocco Bellantone, refers to an inquiry on the subject presented by the Honourable Gilda Sportiello (M5S). Nevertheless, the text of the note has not yet been made available to the public.