Schumer pushes to resolve shortage of RSV vaccines for children

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

BUFFALO – Standing at Western New York Pediatrics with doctors, who like many across the country have faced shortages of the new, potentially lifesaving Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) immunization for kids, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Monday launched his two-pronged push calling on the feds and medicine manufacturers to ensure doctors across New York and America have the support they need to keep children safe.

In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Schumer said first it is imperative that as new doses are expected to be released in early 2024 that those vaccines get to pediatricians on the frontlines, like those in Western NY, who have been seeing these shortages ASAP, especially as recent severe cold weather has increased risk for respiratory viruses. Secondly, the senator said it is vital the drug manufacturers work with all levels of the federal government to ramp up supply now, fix supply chain issues so that all those who need the vaccines are able to get it.

“The release of a brand-new immunization for RSV last year was a gamechanger in the fight against this disease that often terrifies new parents and puts our youngest children at risk. But with recent winter weather increasing risk for respiratory viruses, Western New York pediatricians and parents are justifiably nervous as we have already seen supply not able to meet the demand and we need action now,” said Senator Schumer. “Parents and doctors should never have to scramble to ensure our children can get a vaccine from RSV. That’s why I’m calling on the CDC, FDA and drug manufacturers to get all hands-on deck and work overtime to release more doses of this vital treatment, and to ensure all new doses get where they are needed most, like our hard-hit Western NY pediatricians on the frontlines.”

“Western New York Pediatrics, within Medical Health Associates of Western New York (MHA), stands at the forefront of pediatric care, covering a vast region and serving a patient roster of 55,000 individuals. As we strive to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations for widespread vaccination, our ability to administer only 29% of the recommended doses due to supply issues is deeply concerning,” said Chris Tirabassi, CEO of Medical Health Associates of Western New York. “We urge the CDC to collaborate with manufacturers and expedite the distribution of the RSV vaccine. Swift action is imperative to ensure equitable access and prevent further disruptions in the vaccination process.”

Each year, about 1 in 50 infants are hospitalized with RSV before their first birthday, a number of whom end up in an intensive care unit due to the severity of their infection. However, the new preventive antibody treatment is shown to reduce the risk of RSV-related complications by more than 70 percent.

“Due to the limited availability of RSV shots, our staff was placed in the difficult situation of having to decide which babies would have the opportunity to receive the medication”, said Dr. Colleen Mattimore, MD, of Western New York Pediatrics. “It is unfair to have to ration shots for the most at-risk babies when babies are already more susceptible to RSV than most age groups. I have had to send babies to the ER to be treated for respiratory distress due to this shortage. We need to work together to remove this burden from medical practices, medical staff, and parents. Most importantly we need to work together to ensure that there is enough medication available for all eligible babies.”

“Before last year, parents of young children – especially children born premature or with respiratory issues – largely had nothing to do except pray their child did not get RSV. If they did, in many cases the result was hospitalization, with their child hooked up to oxygen, doctors monitoring their breathing round the clock,” Schumer said. “Thankfully, the new RSV preventive antibody treatment is shown to significantly reduce the risk of severe RSV by more than 70 percent, and that is why it is critical we ensure it is easily accessible and available across Upstate New York.”

The Biden Administration has already been putting pressure on RSV vaccine makers to address this problem. Last month the White House announced an additional 230,000 more doses of the RSV shot for infants would become available and those are expected to be distributed soon, and Schumer said while this is a critical step forward, manufacturers need to do more to get additional doses out ASAP to the hospitals that are most in need.