| Recommendation for use of a long-acting monoclonal antibody to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and young children |
Soo-Han Choi1 
, Dong Hyun Kim2
, Jong Gyun Ahn3
, Ki Wook Yun4
, Byung-Wook Eun5
, Jin Lee6
, Jina Lee7
, Taek-Jin Lee8
, Hyunju Lee4
, Dae Sun Jo9
, Eun Young Cho10
, Hye-Kyung Cho11
, Young June Choe12
, Ui Yoon Choi6
, Yun-Kyung Kim12
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1Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
2Department of Pediatrics, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
3Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
4Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
5Department of Pediatrics, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
6Department of Pediatrics, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
7Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
8Department of Pediatrics, CHA University School of Medicine, Pocheon, Korea
9Department of Pediatrics, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
10Department of Pediatrics, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
11Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
12Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea |
Correspondence:
Yun-Kyung Kim, Email: byelhana@korea.ac.kr
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Received: 9 May 2025 • Revised: 19 June 2025 • Accepted: 8 July 2025 |
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| Abstract |
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants and young children. In April 2024, the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, as a passive immunization to prevent RSV-associated LRTI among infants and young children. Nirsevimab was launched in Korea in February 2025. This report summarizes the recommendations of the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the Korean Pediatric Society regarding the use of nirsevimab. We recommend a single dose of nirsevimab for all neonates born during the RSV season (October to March), as well as all infants younger than 6 months at the start of the RSV season (i.e., those born between April and September of that year). Nirsevimab should be administered shortly after birth (within the first week of life) to neonates born during the RSV season and just before or early in the season (late September to October) to infants entering their first RSV season. Nirsevimab may also be considered for children younger than 2 years of age who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. |
| Key Words:
Respiratory syncytial viruses, Immunization, Monoclonal antibodies, Long-acting |
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