Palivizumab is used to prevent serious illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk babies.
The antibodies in palivizumab can help protect high-risk babies from serious infection. They do this by providing short lasting passive immunisation aganist RSV.
Palivizumab is given as an injection into the muscle in the thigh by a healthcare professional.
The level of antibodies gradually falls after each injection. Babies who have palivizumab need an injection each month in winter/spring for continued protection.
If your paediatrician advises that your baby needs palivizumab, you'll get instructions about how to get monthly doses.
No, palivizumab is not a vaccine. It does not stimulate your baby's body to produce its own antibodies when they come into contact with that virus in the future.
Palivizumab is given as an injection into the muscle in the thigh by a healthcare professional.
Yes - they might have any other injections at a different area of the body.
The most common reactions are:
These symptoms are usually quite minor and will settle within 24 to 48 hours.
Extremely rarely, babies can develop an allergic response to palivizumab. Symptoms of this might include swelling of their face or body, breathing difficulties or rashes anywhere on their body. If this happens, please call 111 in New Zealand.
This page last reviewed 02 June 2022.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection
[2] https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/45436Ppalivizumab.pdf
[3] http://medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/s/synagis.pdf
[4] https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/p/palivizumab/
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2704