(NewsNation) — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine committee on Thursday voted to recommend a shot that protects babies against RSV, reports said.
The shot, called Enflonsia, is made by Merck. Enflonsia is a preventive, long-acting monoclonal antibody designed to provide rapid protection through five months with the same dose regardless of weight. It is the second RSV monoclonal antibody of its kind on the market.
“Ahead of the 2025-2026 RSV season, we are proud to offer Enflonsia as a new preventive option designed to protect healthy and at-risk infants from RSV disease across a spectrum of severity, including worsening disease requiring hospitalization,” said Richard M. Haupt, a vice president at Merck, in a press release.
At the meeting, analysis showed the approved options were safe while also reducing hospitalizations among babies from RSV.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says the vote could provide a huge breakthrough for children’s health.
“As a pediatrician, I mean, people need to understand what a spectacular accomplishment these results are,” said ACIP member Cody Meissner. “They will have an enormous influence on public health.”
The CDC noted influenza levels in the U.S. hit a peak in February, when they were the highest they had ever been in 15 years.