Oregon health officials urges caution for babies amid vaccine shortage
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, November 13th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – State health officials are urging Oregonians to take precautions against respiratory syncytial virus in infants amid a national shortage of vaccines, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced.
The monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, known by the brand name Beyfortus, has seen limited supply since it became available in the fall, officials said.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, better known as RSV, usually peaks around late fall and early winter.
It starts as a cold, but if it progresses, you should see a doctor.
This virus can be serious for younger children. If your child has a fever, is coughing, has a runny nose, or is wheezing, it could be a sign of RSV.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says RSV hospitalizes over 70,000 children under the age of 5 each year.
The OHA says 3% of infants are hospitalized in the state each year with RSV.
While there is a shortage of vaccines, the OHA recommends taking precautions to avoid RSV transmission, especially among babies who are most at risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Among their recommendations, OHA says pregnant people who get the RSV vaccine when they are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant will pass protection from the virus on to their baby, so the child will not need the vaccine after birth.
Other preventive measures can help reduce RSV transmission, such as staying home, limiting contact with others when sick, wearing a mask, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands, cleaning frequently touched surface
Doctors say if you or your child starts to feel those cold-like symptoms and it progresses over time, it could be RSV.
If not, it may be just a common cold that is treatable with over-the-counter medicines.
