Nirsevimab: A Smart Way to Fight RSV in Shanghai Babies

In January 2024, Chinese officials gave the green light to nirsevimab. This drug is designed to shield infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In Shanghai, researchers wanted to see if using nirsevimab for babies was a good deal. They looked at two plans: giving the shot all year or just during certain months. They also considered two scenarios: if the shot works for a short time or a long time. The team used a special model to follow groups of babies born each month for two years. They figured out how much it would cost and how much good it would do. They wanted to see if the benefits were worth the price. The price tag for each extra year of good health was calculated. They set a budget limit based on the average income in Shanghai. The findings showed that both plans could be a good deal. However, giving the shot during certain months was cheaper. The best time to give the shot during these months needs more study. This could help make the most of the public health benefits. The researchers also did extra checks to make sure their results were solid. They changed some of the numbers to see how it affected the outcome. This helped them understand the limits of their findings. RSV is a big deal for babies. It can cause serious breathing problems. Finding a cheap and effective way to stop it is important. Nirsevimab might be the answer. But more work is needed to figure out the best way to use it. The study only looked at Shanghai. But the results could help other places too. They could use this info to make their own plans. The key is to find a way to protect babies from RSV without breaking the bank.