BEAUMONT, Texas — A nationwide shortage of a vaccine used to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has pushed forward a plan for Southeast Texas doctors to treat the most vulnerable first.
The new RSV vaccine called Beyfortus was rolled out around four months ago, according to Beaumont pediatrician Dr. Elias Ezike.
RSV in it's mild state is just a common cold, but for some younger infants it can be more severe. For them, it can cause hospitalization or even death, according to Dr. Ezike.
While that new Beyfortus vaccine is recommended for all babies Dr. Ezike is offering it to infants eight months and younger.
"Some small infants may have apnea in which they stop breathing sometimes so it could be severe and also cause pneumonia," said Dr. Ezike.
He has been treating children for the past 33 years. Of all the illnesses Dr. Ezike sees on a daily basis RSV is at the top of his mind.
"We are in the RSV season so we've been seeing cases some of them end up hospitalized," Dr. Ezike said.
RSV causes issues with lungs when it's left untreated.
"Mostly babies under the age of one are the ones that have the most complications. Some of them under the age of two if the have heart chronic lung disease may be at risk as well," said Dr. Ezike.
The shortage of Beyfortus vaccines has caused Dr. Ezike to prioritize those most vulnerable.
"For now because of shortage we are doing only babies who are about eight months and below. You can give it to them as soon as they're born or when they come to their first doctors visit," he said.
Beyfortus along with Synagis, are shots given to premature babies. This is another defense doctors can use to fight against RSV, according to Dr. Ezike.
"We give it to them monthly and it's an antibody," he said.
Dr. Ezike says parents need to talk with their doctors to figure out what's right for their babies.
"That will help us make people know how important it is. So that those who are more at risk can be protected," Dr. Ezike said.
Beyfortus is available for free to children through the federal vaccines for children program.