RSV Shot Beyfortus in Short Supply: Navigating the Crisis

The shortage of the RSV vaccine, Beyfortus, reveals deeper problems with the US administration of childhood vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended prioritizing the drug for the youngest and highest-risk babies due to the shortage. However, pediatric infectious disease specialist Sean O'Leary argues that the shortage should never have occurred. The fragmented US healthcare system and the financial risks associated with stocking expensive vaccines like Beyfortus create barriers for pediatricians. Unlike other industrialized countries, the US lacks a universal vaccination program that provides vaccines free of charge across the lifespan.