Italy, regional disparities in access to RSV prophylaxis

A recent study conducted by the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) has drawn attention to significant disparities in access to prophylaxis against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for newborns across different regions of Italy. The absence of a uniform vaccination plan at the national level has resulted in significant variations in the timing, criteria, and methods of administration of the monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab across different regions, according to Rino Agostiniani, President of SIP. While some regions offer universal protection against RSV infections to newborns, in others, this coverage is limited to those born after July 2024, providing only partial coverage. Furthermore, in certain regions, immunoprophylaxis is exclusively guaranteed for newborns born during the epidemic season, which extends from November 2024 to March 2025. Regions such as Lombardy, Piedmont, Sicily, and Veneto have adopted a universal vaccination policy for all newborns born after 1 January 2024, while regions such as Abruzzo, Basilicata, and Sardinia have adopted a limited immunoprophylaxis policy for those born during the epidemic season. The current situation underlines the necessity for a coordinated national strategy to guarantee a uniform level of neonatal protection against RSV, irrespective of the region of birth. This point was emphasised by Raffaele Badolato, the person responsible for coordinating the regional sections of SIP and supervising the study.