Vietnam introduces monoclonal antibody against RSV for children for the first time

On October 25, 2025, VNVC Vaccination Center System and Tam Anh General Hospital Group officially introduced and began the administration of Beyfortus (Nirsevimab), a monoclonal antibody developed by Sanofi for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of pneumonia and severe bronchiolitis in newborns and young children.

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC Vaccination Center System, stated that Nirsevimab is a next-generation monoclonal antibody developed by Sanofi (France) and manufactured at a state-of-the-art facility in the United States. It is regarded as one of the most anticipated preventive “weapons” among both healthcare professionals and parents in combating severe respiratory infections in children.

As a next-generation monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab is produced using advanced recombinant technology, providing direct delivery of specific antibodies that confer immediate immunity after injection, rather than requiring a period of 2–4 weeks for the body to develop its own antibodies as with conventional vaccines. This is the first monoclonal antibody solution developed and applied for effective RSV prevention across multiple pediatric groups, from premature infants and those with underlying medical conditions to healthy, full-term babies, who account for the majority of RSV-related hospitalizations.

As of October 2025, Nirsevimab has been approved in nearly 60 countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia, and has been incorporated into national immunization programs in more than 25 developed nations. With years of experience in preventive immunization and as a comprehensive strategic partner of Sanofi, VNVC has worked tirelessly to bring the RSV monoclonal antibody to Vietnam, enabling early access to this preventive solution against RSV, one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death among children.

Upon learning of the launch, Ms. Hoang Thi Tuyet Hoa and her husband (based in An Phu Dong Ward, HCM City) brought their one-week-old twin daughters for injection. Ms. Hoa shared that the twins were born prematurely at 33 weeks and 6 days, with fragile lungs that made them vulnerable to RSV infection during the peak season. She also has a 3-year-old daughter who was born extremely prematurely at 25 weeks and frequently suffered from respiratory illnesses such as coughs, runny nose, and sneezing.

“We are fortunate that Vietnam now has a monoclonal antibody against RSV that can be administered to premature babies, helping families like ours feel reassured about protecting our children,” Ms. Hoa said emotionally.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Tru, Head of the Pediatrics Department at Tam Anh General Hospital HCMC, noted that RSV is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis, resulting in millions of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths globally each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70% of children are infected with RSV within their first year of life, and reinfections can occur multiple times per year. Among every 28 deaths of infants under 6 months old, one is caused by RSV. During the RSV season, 80% of lower respiratory tract infections in children under one year old are due to RSV. Notably, 70–90% of RSV-related hospitalizations occur among previously healthy, full-term infants.

Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, Vice President of HCM City Infectious Diseases Association, said that in Vietnam, RSV circulates year-round and tends to peak during seasonal transitions, the colder months, and the rainy season toward the end of the year. The virus spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets and is estimated to be four times more contagious than seasonal influenza. It affects people of all ages and can appear very early in newborns. Infants infected with RSV are at risk of severe complications due to immature immune systems, small airways prone to obstruction, and mucus retention.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for RSV; available therapies are only supportive and aimed at alleviating symptoms. Bronchiolitis caused by RSV is particularly difficult to treat, and secondary bacterial infections can worsen the condition, increasing severity and treatment costs while creating significant emotional and financial burdens for families. Severe cases may require mechanical ventilation and intensive care, leading to complications such as pulmonary fibrosis, impaired respiratory function, hospital readmission, or chronic bronchial asthma later in life.

“Providing passive immunity directly to infants through monoclonal antibodies, protecting them during the period of highest vulnerability to RSV infection and complications from birth, marks a major milestone. It helps reduce hospitalization, mortality, and long-term sequelae, while saving healthcare costs and resources for families and society,” Dr. Khanh emphasized.

Based on international studies analyzing the efficacy and protective mechanism of Nirsevimab against RSV, Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director of VNVC Vaccination Center System, explained that a single injection can reduce the risk of hospitalization and intensive care due to RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis, by more than 82%, maintaining continuous protection for 5–6 months, equivalent to one full RSV season. Notably, the antibody can be administered immediately after birth, regardless of immune maturity, making it suitable for all newborns, including premature, low-birth-weight infants, and those with underlying medical conditions. Moreover, as Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody derived from human cells, it ensures high safety and a very low rate of post-injection reactions.

“Previously, VNVC also introduced the first RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 and above and pregnant women between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation, protecting both mothers and infants against RSV for the first six months of life. Continuing with this new solution to proactively protect infants from the earliest months of life demonstrates the strong commitment and pioneering role of VNVC and Tam Anh General Hospital Group in bringing advanced biomedical technologies to Vietnam. This effort contributes to bridging the gap in access to high-tech medical care between Vietnam and developed nations in fields such as vaccination and preventive medicine, fulfilling the National Strategy for the Protection, Care, and Improvement of the People’s Health, with a focus on disease prevention as emphasized by General Secretary To Lam,” Dr. Chinh shared.

“Starting today, Tam Anh General Hospital Group will begin administering monoclonal antibody injections at five major general hospitals and medical centers in Hanoi and HCM City. VNVC Vaccination Center System will provide consultation and guidance for mothers to bring their children for immunization at Tam Anh General Hospital facilities and Nutrihome Nutrition and Sports Medicine Clinics, located in the same building as VNVC Hoang Van Thu Center, Duc Nhuan Ward, HCM City,” the announcement stated.

This unprecedented collaboration aims to ensure comprehensive and specialized public counseling and education through close coordination between the vaccination systems and modern clinics and hospitals, thereby strengthening the immunization network for children in accordance with the current Ministry of Health guidelines. It also serves as preparation for expanding RSV monoclonal antibody immunization at vaccination centers once relevant legal provisions are updated. The National Assembly is expected to review and solicit feedback in the upcoming session on proposed amendments to healthcare regulations, including allowing monoclonal antibody administration at vaccination centers, given its proven safety, efficacy, and broad public health necessity in preventing and controlling RSV-related respiratory diseases in Vietnamese children from their earliest months of life,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Tru noted.

Nirsevimab is administered as a single intramuscular injection for infants aged 1 day to 12 months, 0.5 ml for those under 5 kg and 1 ml for those weighing 5 kg or more. For high-risk children aged 12–24 months, two injections of 1 ml each may be given at different sites on the same day.

“Tam Anh General Hospital Group is the first in Vietnam to administer Evusheld monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 prevention in immunocompromised individuals and Palivizumab monoclonal antibodies for RSV prevention in premature infants. With this prior experience and strict professional control protocols, our team of experts and physicians can ensure the safety, accuracy, and effectiveness of the Nirsevimab monoclonal antibody program,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Huy Tru.

Founded in 2017, VNVC has introduced more than 20 new and next-generation vaccines to Vietnam, ending service vaccine shortages and contributing to improved vaccination rates for both children and adults. Today, VNVC is part of the Tam Anh – VNVC – TAMRI – ECO Healthcare Ecosystem, one of the largest and most comprehensive private healthcare systems in Vietnam. The ecosystem comprises Tam Anh General Hospital Group with three large-scale hospitals and two modern clinics in Hanoi and HCM City; Tam Anh Research Institute (TAMRI), which is conducting over 30 collaborative studies with leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations; ECO Pharmaceuticals, a trusted brand with nearly 20 years of experience and prestige in importing and distributing pharmaceuticals and a network of over 20,000 partner pharmacies nationwide; and Eplus Company, which imports and distributes vaccines and biological products for VNVC’s nearly 250 vaccination centers across the country, alongside member companies specializing in market research, information technology, logistics, customer care, and marketing communications. The synergy among these entities forms a closed healthcare value chain, from research and production to distribution and immunization, ensuring comprehensive care for the population.

In addition to immunization services, VNVC is investing in the construction of VNVC Vaccine and Biological Manufacturing Plant at Phu An Thanh Industrial Park (Tay Ninh), with an initial investment exceeding VND 2,500 billion, covering over 26,000 square meters and designed for an annual capacity of up to 100 million doses. The facility will comply with international standards including WHO GMP, EU GMP, and FDA cGMP. VNVC has signed multiple strategic cooperation agreements with leading biotechnology corporations from the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States to transfer vaccine and high-tech biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies to Vietnam. Expected to commence operations by late 2027, the Plant will represent a major milestone in the national vaccine self-reliance strategy, contributing to medical security, proactive disease prevention, and Vietnam’s expansion into international markets.

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