National Contract for Monoclonal Antibody for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Passive Immunisation for Infants - Pathfinder Programme 3

In accordance with National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advice, HSE Public Health: National Health Protection, with Access & Integration and the National Women and Infants Health Programme wish to put in place a contract for a monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab (Beyfontus®) for a third pathfinder immunisation programme to protect all babies from RSV disease born from 1st March 2026 to 28th February 2027. RSV is a common virus that causes respiratory infections in young babies. Babies under three months old get sicker with RSV than older children.

Each winter in Ireland one in two newborns babies will get RSV and many will need medical care from their GP or the emergency department of a children’s hospital. Four out of a hundred new born babies are hospitalised due to RSV with some babies needing special treatment in intensive care units. Nirsevimab is currently the best way to protect babies from RSV.

This contract will supply 50,000 doses of this drug for passive immunisation over a seven month period during the RSV season.