In this video interview, Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, editor in chief, Contemporary Pediatrics, professor of pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, pediatric infectious diseases attending, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, recaps 2023 with regard to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Tan breaks down the severity of the RSV season in 2023, how newly FDA approved preventive tools have changed the treatment landscape, and what could be in store for 2024.
Interview transcript (edited for clarity):
Contemporary Pediatrics:
Hello and thanks for watching. I'm Joshua Fitch, editor of Contemporary Pediatrics. Today I'm joined by Dr. Tina Tan, editor in chief of Contemporary Pediatrics and a pediatric infectious disease attending at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Tan, thank you for being here. First, let's talk about what a year it's been when it comes to RSV. Going back to about a year ago, when it was a very difficult RSV season, can you take us back and recap that a little bit, and really the urgent need for some some new treatment for this obviously, very young population?
Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS:
Yeah, absolutely. So RSV causes annual epidemics, but last year, what we were noticing is that there wasn't just 1 epidemic, but there were actually several surges of RSV that occurred out of its normal season. So RSV normally occurs between October and March here in the United States and for reasons that are still not understood, we actually had several surges last year with 1 surge actually occurring during the summer. But it was the fall surge, which started earlier, that really was incredible, because we also were having surges of influenza, as well as COVIDa nd what that ended up doing was it overwhelmed the pediatric health care system so that there really were few to no hospital beds that were available at any given time. There were children that actually had to be transported either by ambulance or helicopter to other states in order to be treated and hospitalized for complications that they were having from RSV. It really did point out the fact that we did not have any way of preventing RSV disease, and that we really needed to have other tools in order to decrease the amount of severe RSV that we were seeing that was placing kids and infants in the hospital.
Contemporary Pediatrics:
Thank you Dr. Tan, of course, like you just mentioned, that harsh of an RSV season then turned into those new tools and vaccines to prevent the disease, including nirsevimab approved in July 2023 and Pfizer's maternal vaccine approved in August. Obviously, this was an exciting time looking back, can you kind of discuss what these approvals meant at that time, and really still mean now for RSV disease?
Tan:
That was fantastic news, because it really put other tools in our toolbox that we could use to prevent the severe complications that were being seen with RSV, especially in the younger infants under 6 months of age. And not only were we able to give a monoclonal antibody to the infants under 8 months of age, but we also were able to vaccinate pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks so that they would be able to pass antibody on to their babies during a time when the baby would be at greatest risk for having complications should they get RSV, so it was really fantastic news that we had 2 different tools available that could decrease the amount of severe RSV disease that was being seen.
Contemporary Pediatrics:
To quickly follow up on that, you explained it from the health care professional standpoint. In your day-to-day, talk about kind of a sense of relief, if there was one from the parents standpoint, as they were the ones also dealing with their child having RSV disease, the cause for concern. Can you touch on that, what you've seen and what kind of relief these these approvals have brought?
Tan:
When nirsevimab was first approved, there were parents that were literally calling and clamoring to try and get the vaccines for their babies or the monoclonal antibody for their babies. Talking to some of my ob-gyn colleagues, there were women that were asking for RSV vaccine because they understood, because many of them had other children that this could be a potentially severe infection that their younger baby could get, and so they were actually asking the ob-gyn for the vaccine. So, I think that the word has gotten out that we do have something that can prevent hospitalization and other complications in these very young babies.
Contemporary Pediatrics:
You mentioned the word getting out. Well, recently following the approvals, the next question heading into September and October was availability, mainly with nirsevimab as it turned out. In October, the CDC recommended it'd be prioritized for the highest risk infants, amid some limited availability. Can you talk about some of the rollout challenges you've noticed, and availability now that we're into the RSV season and the winter months?
Tan:
It really has been a challenge for individuals to get an adequate supply of nirsevimab. Nobody has an adequate supply. People are prioritizing their 100 mg doses, which is recommended for infants that are 5 kilos and greater in weight to those infants that are under 6 months of age, infants that have underlying conditions, and infants that are Alaskan Native, American Indian infants, because we know that these are infants that are at the greatest risk for complication, should they get RSV.
Contemporary Pediatrics:
Is that kind of an unprecedented situation to where here's the brand new tool we've been talking about for so long, but now, how do we get it to everyone? Have we seen this before on such a large nationwide scale.
Tan:
We've seen this before, in some of the severe influenza seasons, where individuals were not able to get enough influenza vaccine to vaccinate their patients. So it's not unheard of that this happened and I think what probably occurred is that there was an underestimation of the demand that would happen once the product was released.
Contemporary Pediatrics:
Thank you, Dr. Tan. Lastly, we've kind of reviewed start of 2023 to now, looking ahead in your opinion, where do you think we stand when it comes to these preventative treatments? What trends have you noticed this RSV season, and if you can speak to any national trends as well, that'd be great, as we close out 2023 and really look into 2024's winter months.
Tan:
Right now we are starting to see a surge in RSV in many different areas of the country. It still remains to be seen how effective the limited amount of nirsevimab being given and maternal immunization being uptaken will have in terms of impacting the amount of severe RSV disease that we're seeing. My hope is that there is going to be some impact it might not have been as great as we would have liked to seen, but I would hope that there would be some impact with the use of the nirsevimab available and the maternal vaccination on the amount of severe RSV disease that may occur.
Contemporary Pediatrics:
Dr. Tan thank you so much for speaking with us.
Tan:
My pleasure.
See the article here:
Reviewing the 2023 RSV season and an outlook on 2024 - Contemporary Pediatrics
- Sang Pediatrics: When to see the doctor for a fever - YourCentralValley.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually - FDA.gov - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Thousands of bike helmets to be distributed to Ohio children | 10tv.com - 10TV - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- How to talk to your teenaged patient about pregnancy and contraception - Contemporary Pediatrics - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Adult RSV Shots Given to More Than 30 Babies by Mistake - Medpage Today - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Pediatric Health Care Teams Can Help Prevent Youth Suicide - The Pew Charitable Trusts - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Small patients, big discoveries | Penn Today - Penn Today - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- HCPs can play an important role in addressing the US infant formula shortage - Contemporary Pediatrics - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- East Wenatchee Doctor Awarded For Boosting Child Vaccinations - KPQ - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- HPV vaccination coverage of US-children aged 9-17 years in 2022 - Contemporary Pediatrics - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Weekly review: Profound genetic deafness gene therapy, measles increases, and more - Contemporary Pediatrics - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Pediatric Telehealth Platform Market is expected to Expand at a Massive CAGR of 26.6% through 2030 - openPR - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- DB-OTO improved hearing to normal in child with profound genetic deafness - Contemporary Pediatrics - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- The IT strategy behind a groundbreaking new $2B pediatric hospital - Healthcare IT News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Modest Changes in Kids' Developmental Scores Seen From Pandemic - Medpage Today - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- This pediatrics subspecialty has the best work-life balance - MD Linx - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- PM Pediatrics Cobble Hill closing Pediatric urgent care options in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan - Brooklyn Bridge Parents - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Bethesda Pediatrics awarded $18,000 grant by GIVE - Yahoo! Voices - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Nemours Children's Health, UCF Partner to Elevate the Quality of Healthcare for Florida's Children - UCF - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Pediatricians told to talk to patients and parents about climate. - Grist - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Getting a good night's rest is vital for neurodiverse children pediatric sleep experts explain why - The Conversation - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Tina Cheng Honored as Exceptional CMO - Research Horizons - Research Horizons - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Let's talk about childhood injury prevention | Hub - The Hub at Johns Hopkins - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- More young people with depression, anxiety in Virginia | Headlines - InsideNoVa - April 23rd, 2024 [April 23rd, 2024]
- Pediatrics fundraising event at Altru helps children with critical needs - Grand Forks Herald - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Public perceptions of families affected by pediatric cancer and educational work in pediatric oncology | Pediatric ... - Nature.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- The pediatrician, the resident, the strawberry monster, and the zebra - VUMC News - VUMC Reporter - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Receptor targeting to identify medications for pediatric mental health concerns - Contemporary Pediatrics - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Hypoglossal nerve stimulation offers hope for pediatric Down syndrome patients with OSA - News-Medical.Net - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Efforts to reduce wait times for developmental evaluations - Baylor College of Medicine | BCM - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Nasal oxidative stress mediating the effects of colder temperature exposure on pediatric asthma symptoms | Pediatric ... - Nature.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Week in review: A new dermatology case study, and a new treatment for severe asthma - Contemporary Pediatrics - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Chordae Tendinea Rupture and Pulmonary Valve Vegetation in Pediatric Endocarditis: A Rare Condition - Cureus - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Pruitt named director of academic pediatrics division Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - Washington University School of... - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Researchers Show Injury Prevention Program Reduces Injuries in Young Children | Newsroom - UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Provident Healthcare Partners Advises SouthernMED Pediatrics and Sweetgrass Pediatrics in a Partnership with U.S. ... - PR Newswire - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Online child safety laws could help or hurt 2 pediatricians explain what's likely to work and what isn't - The Conversation - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Hundreds of blue pinwheels draw attention for the need of doctors who specialize in child abuse pediatrics - MyStateline.com - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Pediatricians can help teens quit vaping and using tobacco - Odessa American - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH SHAPING CHILDREN'S HEALTH SHOWCASED AT THE PEDIATRIC ACADEMIC ... - PR Newswire - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- New NIAID report on maternal COVID-19 vaccination offers direct evidence of protection for newborns - Contemporary Pediatrics - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Navigating Pediatric Diabetes: A Q&A With Leading Expert David Maahs, MD - Stanford Medicine Children's Health Blog - Stanford Children's Health - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Linaclotide Succeeds for Functional Constipation in Children | GI and Hepatology News - MDedge - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Testing and diagnoses capacity of 2009 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics - Contemporary Pediatrics - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Predicting Infection Risk in Childhood Cancer - News Center - Feinberg News Center - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Healing the divide: Advancing access to pediatric care - HealthLeaders Media - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- McMaster Child Health Research Day charts the future of pediatric health - Brighter World - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- This is serious: The results of a measles outbreak have harmful outcomes - Contemporary Pediatrics - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Unlocking the Power of Influenza Vaccines for Pediatric Population: A Narrative Review - Cureus - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Human Papillomavirus Vaccines - Immunizations - American Academy of Pediatrics - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- The role of the pediatrician in school-based mental health services - Contemporary Pediatrics - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Reminder for IPRC Webinar Preventing Secondary Trauma and Practical Self Care for Pediatric Rehabilitation ... - RCPA - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- PCORI Awards CYSHCNet Researchers $5.5 Million to Study Transitions for Children and Caregivers from Hospital-to ... - UNC Health and UNC School of... - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Viewpoint: Journal Pediatrics reneges on its commitment to print response to botched article claiming GMOs are ... - Genetic Literacy Project - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- NYC medical school will go tuition-free thanks to $1 billion gift from former pediatrics professor - Anchorage Daily News - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Innovative New Pediatric Facility Helps Alleviate Patient Anxiety - Healthcare Construction and Operations News - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Most pediatricians aren't prepared to handle teen opioid use, study says - WCVB Boston - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- As Medicaid Shrinks, Clinics for the Poor Are Trying to Survive - The New York Times - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Many children hospitalized with COVID continue to face challenges. - Baltimore Sun - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Exposure to neighborhood violence linked to unmet health needs and increased care utilization in children - News-Medical.Net - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- OUtMATCH: Omalizumab Proves Utility in Multiple Food Allergies for Pediatric, Adult Patients - MD Magazine - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Neffy pharmacokinetic profiles compared to epinephrine injections - Contemporary Pediatrics - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Clinician quiz: AAP clinical practice guideline for treatment of children with obesity - Contemporary Pediatrics - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Contributed: Shortcomings and opportunities for health equity in pediatrics - Mobihealth News - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Committed to physician education to enhance children's health - UChicago Medicine - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- What's leading to youth sports burnout? American Academy of Pediatrics report says 70% of kids are dropping out by 13 - WLS-TV - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Washington University School of Medicine joins collaboration to improve pediatric heart disease care - News-Medical.Net - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- How to Treat Coughs in Kids - Health Matters - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopment - Contemporary Pediatrics - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Discontinuing contact precautions for pediatric patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - Contemporary Pediatrics - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Viewpoint: American Academy of Pediatrics fiasco International Association for the Research on Cancer is the ... - Genetic Literacy Project - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Recent reports of measles in multiple states - Contemporary Pediatrics - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Expert shares advice for parents navigating pediatric influenza, COVID-19, and RSV this winter - Newswise - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Global Group of Researchers Release New Criteria for Diagnosing Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock - AboutLawsuits.com - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]
- Recurrent Syncope Unveiling Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Pulmonary Artery Thrombi in a Pediatric Patient - Cureus - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- ChatGPT bombs test on diagnosing kids' medical cases with 83% error rate - Ars Technica - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- ChatGPT is terrible at diagnosing child medical cases, according to new study - Mashable - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- The clinical takeaways of the RSV immunizations - Contemporary Pediatrics - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Missouri pediatricians provide eight parenting goals to start the new year strong - Kirksville Daily Express and Daily News - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Predictive Factors for Insulin Resistance in Pediatric Obesity: A Comprehensive Analysis - Physician's Weekly - December 31st, 2023 [December 31st, 2023]