Saudi experts' recommendation for RSV prophylaxis in the era of COVID-19: Consensus from the Saudi Pediatric Pulmonology Association

Saudi Med J. 2021 Apr;42(4):355-362. doi: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.4.20200769.ABSTRACTRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia in pediatrics worldwide. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the prevalence of RSV is 23.5% in pediatric patients with acute lower respiratory tract illness. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses critical public health and socioeconomic challenges in KSA. The Saudi Pediatric Pulmonology Association (SPPA), a subsidiary of the Saudi Thoracic Society (STS), developed a task force to determine the potential challenges and barriers to the RSV immunoprophylaxis program during the era of COVID-19 and to compose a practical, nationwide, and multidisciplinary approach to address these challenges. Some of the recommendations to manage these challenges include increasing the number of RSV immunoprophylaxis clinics, drive-thru visits, home-care services, and swift referrals to the RSV immunoprophylaxis program specialists. Additional training is required for healthcare personnel to add RSV immunoprophylaxis to the regular immunization schedule.PMID:33795490 | DOI:10.15537/smj.2021.42.4.20200769
Source: Saudi Medical Journal - Category: Middle East Health Authors: Source Type: research