An Andalusian investigation has certified the Usefulness of the Nersevimab drug in front of the syncitial respiratory virus (VRS) in babies, and its impact when reducing the severity of infections. Hospitals throughout the region have participated in the study, in collaboration with the University of Granada (UGR) and the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health and Consumption.
The study indicates that, although children who receive Nersevimab can be infected with the VRS and end hospitalized, The severity of the clinical picture during hospitalization is much lower To that of minors who do not receive immunization, as reported by the UGR this Friday in a press release about this study.
The Nersevimab It is not a treatment, but a preventive measure. Until the last campaign, the only ones that applied at the population level were vaccines. Among them, none was used in front of the VRS. However, from the 2023-2024 campaign, the immunization paradigm changed “because a non-vaccination measure was used for the first time based on the use of a monoclonal antibody.”
It was the Nersevimab, which, as detailed by Mario Rivera, researcher of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the UGR; Its effect is “long duration (more than five months) and It is used as passive immunization in children under 6 months“. Some autonomous communities of Spain, including Andalusia, were pioneers in the application of this measure. Research sheds light on the impact that the antibody has had in the prevention of negative outcomes associated with the VRS in infants.
To date, most works demonstrate the role of medication in the prevention of VRS infection and hospitalization. However, This research analyzes how it prevents negative outcomes after arrival at the hospital (Transfer in ICU, respiratory support, mechanical ventilation or income days). This information is relevant to “know in greater detail the potential impact that its application has,” have specified from the UGR.
More favorable outcome
The study of retrospective cohorts has included 222 Babies hospitalized by VRS in nine hospitals of all Andalusian provinces. Scientists have analyzed the frequency of intrahospital outcomes (respiratory support, mechanical ventilation or admission to ICU, among others) depending on whether children had been immunized or not with Nersevimab.
“We observe that the little immunized with the medication had Lower frequency of respiratory support need With nasal glasses, mechanical ventilation, admission to ICU and less time of hospital stay than children not immunized with Nersevimab, “Rivera explained.
The findings, together with those of other published studies on this population measure, provide relevant information for the analysis of Cost-effectiveness when applying the medication, and help decision -making for future immunization calendars.
The data suggests that, although the Nersevimab, like any preventive measure, is not infallible, It is favorable for immunized children who require hospital admission by VRS. In them, the outcomes are more favorable. Therefore, this monoclonal antibody protects against the most serious forms of syncitial viruses.
The UGR has participated in this research from a methodological advice, in collaboration with personnel of the Ministry of Health and Consumption, especially David Moreno, first author of the work and responsible for vaccination in Andalusia. In the study they have worked multiple institutions such as the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada and the University of Malaga, in addition to hospitals from all Andalusian provinces.
The investigation has been presented as End of Master’s job at the Andalusian School of Public Health by Aleksandra KorobovaInternal Medical Resident of Preventive Medicine at the San Cecilio Clinical University Hospital, winning the best TFM 2025 award.
