In February 2024, the Health Council issued advice on the prevention of RS virus infections in newborns. Ge-Bu concluded late last year that prophylaxis with nirsevimab could be limited to newborns with risk factors.
With regard to prophylaxis through maternal vaccination with an RS virus vaccine, the Ge-Bu opinion was that the usefulness would mainly depend on the as yet unknown cost-effectiveness. What is the current advice from the Health Council and does our conclusion need adjustment?
Ge-Bu Location determination
What is Ge-Bu’s position?
• Although death due to RS virus infection in newborns hardly occurs in the Netherlands, there is a significant burden due to the number of hospital admissions of previously healthy seriously ill newborns.
• Results from studies of nirsevimab and maternal vaccination show a reduction in hospital admissions in newborns.
• Prophylaxis with nirsevimab is preferred by the Health Council because it requires the use of only one drug, it can also protect prematurely born children and because there is sufficient certainty about the safety of nirsevimab.
• The Health Council’s advice is to make all children eligible for immunization with nirsevimab through the National Vaccination Program. Children born outside the RS virus season receive a ‘catch up’ during their first RS virus season.
• Calculations of the cost-effectiveness by the RIVM show that immunization of this entire group produces the most health benefits, but that this advice for general immunization is not completely cost-effective.
• The low cost of the Health Council’s advice justifies the choice not to exclude children from immunization and therefore to vaccinate the entire group and not just the children at risk.
Read the full article
