(WTAQ-WLUK) — In the wake of the Food & Drug Administration’s approval of a new RSV medication, officials with Aurora Health Care held a briefing Tuesday to explain the drug’s potential impact.
On Monday, the FDA approved the first long-acting drug to protect babies and toddlers against the respiratory virus.
Officials at Aurora say RSV is one of the leading reasons children under 12 months old are admitted to the hospital.
One doctor said the medication will do more than just help kids; it will also protect other loved ones who may be vulnerable to the infection.
“It should do a number of things — one, of course, save children’s lives, which is our number one priority, and second, hopefully, they will be less sick,” explained Dr. Donald Beno. “And, perhaps, they will be less likely to give their grandparents get extremely sick with this illness. And over 10,000 adults and elderly die of RSV each year.”
In May, the FDA also approved the first vaccines against the virus.
Earlier this year, RSV contributed to what many called a “tripledemic,” leading to a shortage of over-the-counter children’s medicine.
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