New research has been published evaluating the effectiveness of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2023 to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The findings are in the Lancet Regional Health—Americas: Effectiveness of nirsevimab among infants in their first RSV season in the United States, October 2023–March 2024: A test-negative design analysis. Westat staff members Steph Battan-Wraith, PhD, Elizabeth A.K. Rowley, DrPH, Sarah W. Ball, ScD, Sarah E. Reese, PhD, Patrick K. Mitchell, ScD, and Sean Chickery, DHSc, were among the coauthors. The data come from CDC’s VISION Network. Westat supports data management and analysis in this work.
Using electronic health record (EHR) data from 6 U.S. health systems, researchers analyzed more than 5,000 emergency department visits and 1,000 hospitalizations for RSV-like illness among infants in their first RSV season (October 2023–March 2024). The study found that nirsevimab was 77% effective in preventing RSV-associated emergency visits and 98% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations.
“These findings offer critical evidence that supports the CDC’s recommendation and highlight the value of using real-world data to evaluate public health interventions,” notes Battan-Wraith. “This work reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing data-driven solutions that improve child health outcomes nationwide.”
Focus Areas
Biomedical Informatics and Data Coordination Clinical Research Coordinating Centers Disease Surveillance Health Informatics Public Health Real-World Data and EvidenceCapabilities
Biomedical Informatics and Data Coordination Data Management EHR Harmonization and Analysis Health Informatics Research Network Coordination