The immunisation is not a vaccine, but a monoclonal antibody, providing protection for a few months. Photo: 123RF
Doctors are calling for urgent access to a new immunisation to protect babies from the dangerous RSV virus.
Three states in Australia have just agreed to fund nirsevimab to protect babies against the respiratory virus that has hospitalised hundreds in New Zealand in recent winters.
The disease could leave seriously affected infants struggling to breathe, eat and drink, with many needing oxygen and some ending up on ventilators.
Infectious diseases paediatrician Emma Best was leading the call to give at-risk New Zealand under-one-year-olds access to the medicine.
"That's those babies born premature and with other medical conditions where RSV becomes more than just a respiratory illness but something that leads them to needing intensive care," she said.
The immunisation was not a vaccine, but a monoclonal antibody.
It was given as an injection and protected for only a few months but could get vulnerable babies safely through their first winter, Dr Best said.
Without it, the virus was likely to remain the highest reason for babies to be hospitalised each winter.
The disease was very distressing, including for parents, she said.
Babies were often so busy trying to breathe, they could not eat or drink, she said.
"We don't have any medicines to make them better from the virus. We just support them with oxygen, sometimes even ventilation in intensive care," she said.
Trials overseas showed the nirsevimab could cut hospitalisation rates by 80 percent.
There was a sticking point to getting it funded this year - it was not yet approved for use in New Zealand.
It was given the go ahead by the United States, Europe and Australia last year, with Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales funding it this winter to various degrees.
Pharmaceutical company Sanofi manufactured the immunisation under the brand name Beyfortus.
A spokesperson said it had started a conversation with Pharmac but was not able to speculate on its future availability.
Pharmac has been approached for comment.