Those who need RSV vaccine most can’t get it. Here’s why some doctors are concerned – WBAL TV Baltimore

Those who need the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine the most can't get it, and that worries some Maryland pediatricians.When the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine to protect infants from RSV, doctors celebrated. The long-acting monoclonal antibody targets the most significant cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants worldwide.Who should get vaccinated? The CDC recommends new preventive RSV shot for this age group.The impacted strain lasts longer, is a bit stronger and is affecting a wider range of age groups. In randomized controlled trials, the antibody was shown to prevent RSV hospitalizations by 70%.Natasha Smith took her daughters to the doctor to get flu shots. She's also interested in getting them vaccinated for RSV after she became worried when her 18-month-old came down with a cold and was really congested."My older daughter had it and I know it can be really harmful. I just wanted to make sure she did not have that and she didn't," Smith said. "She was actually in the hospital for a week when she had RSV."LifeBridge Health pediatrician Dr. Scott Krugman told 11 News he's worried about the combination of a lack of RSV vaccines and the increasing cases of illness."Right now, all of our hospitals are filling up with sick children who are wheezing, even young infants and lots of toddlers, as well, are being affected," Krugman said.Vaccination efficacy: This is why people who qualify should get the RSV vaccine.Krugman said hospitals are boarding patients who are waiting for beds."We're now getting patients transferred from the D.C. area back to Baltimore to make room for them. It's going to be very tight for the next months for kids who need hospitalization," Krugman said.So, what's preventing the vaccine from being given to children?"There's been some supply issues with the version that's 100 mg, which is what the larger infant or toddler would get. We can't get that at all. There's supply issues, there's payment issues, distribution issues, and it's really kind of sad because we had this problem last year where we ran out of beds, and we're probably going to have that again," Krugman said.Krugman said for parents whose children are wheezing and can't breathe to take them to the hospital.Important to note: Here's what you need to know to protect your family.Filmstrip below: Videos explaining RSV

Those who need the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine the most can't get it, and that worries some Maryland pediatricians.

When the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine to protect infants from RSV, doctors celebrated. The long-acting monoclonal antibody targets the most significant cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants worldwide.

The impacted strain lasts longer, is a bit stronger and is affecting a wider range of age groups. In randomized controlled trials, the antibody was shown to prevent RSV hospitalizations by 70%.

Natasha Smith took her daughters to the doctor to get flu shots. She's also interested in getting them vaccinated for RSV after she became worried when her 18-month-old came down with a cold and was really congested.

"My older daughter had it and I know it can be really harmful. I just wanted to make sure she did not have that and she didn't," Smith said. "She was actually in the hospital for a week when she had RSV."

LifeBridge Health pediatrician Dr. Scott Krugman told 11 News he's worried about the combination of a lack of RSV vaccines and the increasing cases of illness.

"Right now, all of our hospitals are filling up with sick children who are wheezing, even young infants and lots of toddlers, as well, are being affected," Krugman said.

Krugman said hospitals are boarding patients who are waiting for beds.

"We're now getting patients transferred from the D.C. area back to Baltimore to make room for them. It's going to be very tight for the next months for kids who need hospitalization," Krugman said.

So, what's preventing the vaccine from being given to children?

"There's been some supply issues with the version that's 100 mg, which is what the larger infant or toddler would get. We can't get that at all. There's supply issues, there's payment issues, distribution issues, and it's really kind of sad because we had this problem last year where we ran out of beds, and we're probably going to have that again," Krugman said.

Krugman said for parents whose children are wheezing and can't breathe to take them to the hospital.

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Filmstrip below: Videos explaining RSV

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Those who need RSV vaccine most can't get it. Here's why some doctors are concerned - WBAL TV Baltimore