US Officials' Push to Restrict RSV Vaccines Raises Concerns Over Reduced Hospitalization Rates, Experts Warn.
Recent evidence suggests that RSV vaccines have dramatically reduced hospitalizations among infants. However, in a move that has left experts and parents bewildered, US officials are now pushing to restrict the use of these life-saving shots.
In an effort to limit access to one-third of routine childhood vaccinations, including those against RSV, the Trump administration's health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced that only high-risk babies will be recommended for vaccination. But with the UK, Australia, and Denmark already recommending the vaccine for all newborns due to universal healthcare, it's unclear why the US is taking such a drastic step.
The reality is that RSV infections are becoming increasingly common again in the US this respiratory season, with severe cases particularly affecting young children. According to doctors like Richard Rupp, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who worked on the trials of RSV shots for newborns, hospitalizations from RSV have decreased significantly since the introduction of these vaccines.
In fact, four recent studies published in Jama confirm that hospitalization rates due to RSV have dropped dramatically among vaccinated babies. This trend is consistent with previous data and echoes a major decrease in severe illness among infants who received the shots.
Despite this evidence, experts warn that restricting access to the vaccine will likely lead to increased hospitalizations, particularly among high-risk children. Kevin Ault, an obstetrician-gynecologist and member of the now-defunct RSV working group at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), notes that giving the shot only to children with existing health issues "misses a large majority of potential cases."
The concern is compounded by the fact that even among high-risk babies, the RSV vaccine is highly effective, with an 81% efficacy rate for newborns. In contrast, earlier versions of monoclonal antibodies to fight RSV have been given to children without any reported safety issues.
Critics, including Ault and pediatrician Tracy Beth Høeg, point out that the decision to restrict access to the vaccine was made by political appointees with limited scientific understanding. The FDA has launched an investigation into the safety of the shots following claims from Kennedy Jr that babies in clinical trials had a higher death rate, although this finding was later deemed not statistically significant.
As hospitals and pediatricians scramble to figure out best practices for administering the restricted vaccine, experts warn of confusion about who should receive the shot. With over half of children in the US receiving their shots through the federal Vaccines for Children program, access to these life-saving vaccines may be further eroded – particularly for those who cannot afford them or do not have insurance coverage.
Ultimately, the decision to restrict access to RSV vaccines raises serious questions about the Trump administration's priorities and its commitment to protecting public health.
Recent evidence suggests that RSV vaccines have dramatically reduced hospitalizations among infants. However, in a move that has left experts and parents bewildered, US officials are now pushing to restrict the use of these life-saving shots.
In an effort to limit access to one-third of routine childhood vaccinations, including those against RSV, the Trump administration's health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced that only high-risk babies will be recommended for vaccination. But with the UK, Australia, and Denmark already recommending the vaccine for all newborns due to universal healthcare, it's unclear why the US is taking such a drastic step.
The reality is that RSV infections are becoming increasingly common again in the US this respiratory season, with severe cases particularly affecting young children. According to doctors like Richard Rupp, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who worked on the trials of RSV shots for newborns, hospitalizations from RSV have decreased significantly since the introduction of these vaccines.
In fact, four recent studies published in Jama confirm that hospitalization rates due to RSV have dropped dramatically among vaccinated babies. This trend is consistent with previous data and echoes a major decrease in severe illness among infants who received the shots.
Despite this evidence, experts warn that restricting access to the vaccine will likely lead to increased hospitalizations, particularly among high-risk children. Kevin Ault, an obstetrician-gynecologist and member of the now-defunct RSV working group at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), notes that giving the shot only to children with existing health issues "misses a large majority of potential cases."
The concern is compounded by the fact that even among high-risk babies, the RSV vaccine is highly effective, with an 81% efficacy rate for newborns. In contrast, earlier versions of monoclonal antibodies to fight RSV have been given to children without any reported safety issues.
Critics, including Ault and pediatrician Tracy Beth Høeg, point out that the decision to restrict access to the vaccine was made by political appointees with limited scientific understanding. The FDA has launched an investigation into the safety of the shots following claims from Kennedy Jr that babies in clinical trials had a higher death rate, although this finding was later deemed not statistically significant.
As hospitals and pediatricians scramble to figure out best practices for administering the restricted vaccine, experts warn of confusion about who should receive the shot. With over half of children in the US receiving their shots through the federal Vaccines for Children program, access to these life-saving vaccines may be further eroded – particularly for those who cannot afford them or do not have insurance coverage.
Ultimately, the decision to restrict access to RSV vaccines raises serious questions about the Trump administration's priorities and its commitment to protecting public health.
! I'm literally freaking out thinking about all those babies who are gonna get sick and possibly even die from RSV 
. The fact that US officials wanna restrict access to the vaccine when it's already shown to be 81% effective 
is just, like, no way 
. What's next? Are they gonna take away our flu shots too?! 
I mean, I get that they want to make sure we're not overmedicating or anything, but come on! The data says the vaccine works and it should be available to all newborns ASAP 
. This is just so reckless and I'm literally shaking with anxiety 
.
this is crazy... restricting rsv vaccine access only for high risk babies? 
. what's next, limiting flu shots too? 
. come on, usa, let's focus on keeping our kids safe and healthy! 
The whole thing just sounds super concerning... like they're basically taking away a life-saving tool from vulnerable kids 
. I mean, come on, four studies have shown that these vaccines are reducing hospitalizations by so much, it's crazy to limit access now 
. And what about the high-risk babies? They need all the protection they can get! 
. The fact that this decision was made by people with limited scientific understanding just adds to the problem... it's scary to think about what might happen if they actually restrict access to these vaccines 
.
. Have you guys tried any good ones? I've been eyeing that DJI Mavic series but not sure if it's worth the investment 
.
i mean, four studies just confirmed that hospitalizations from rsv have dropped significantly among vaccinated babies, but now they wanna limit access to the vaccine? 
. It seems like it's saving lives, especially for high-risk babies 
.
. Remember back in the day when vaccines were all about preventing serious illnesses and saving lives? This seems like a step in the wrong direction 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad they're looking out for high-risk babies, but what about everyone else? 
If they're so concerned about hospitalizations, wouldn't it be better to give more kids the vaccine? And what's up with the high-risk thing? That just seems like a cop-out 
didn't we learn from other countries like UK and Australia where they already recommended the vaccine for ALL newborns? 
And those studies showing hospitalization rates dropping dramatically among vaccinated babies? 
why are you guys disregarding that evidence? 
we gotta protect our kids' health no matter what 
I'm so grateful to the doctors like Dr. Rupp and others who worked on these vaccines 
and now they're being silenced by Trump officials? 
it's like they don't care about the kids at all. 
? They're basically going to be stuck playing a high-stakes game of risk vs. illness, and that's just not fair 
and now we've got the FDA investigating the safety of these vaccines 