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Schumer calls on regulators, drug makers to deal with shortage of RSV doses for local doctors

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) on Monday spoke at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, sharing details of his letter to federal regulators about the concern over the shortage of immunization doses for respiratory syncytial virus infection, or RSV. (Photo credit: Office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) wants the federal government and drug makers to “get all hands-on deck” to ensure doctors across New York and the U.S. have immunization doses for respiratory syncytial virus infection, or RSV. In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the […]

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In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food &Drug Administration (FDA), Schumer said that with new doses being distributed, it is “imperative” that those vaccines get to pediatric clinics on the frontlines “ASAP,” his office said.

He discussed the letter at Upstate Medical University with local doctors who are facing shortages of the RSV doses. Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate Medical University, and Dr. Seth Kronenberg, president and CEO of Crouse Health, also joined Schumer for his Monday announcement.

The majority leader said it is especially important to get these doses to pediatricians because they are the first line of defense in protecting children and most often where parents go first. Secondly, the senator said it is vital the drug manufacturers work with all levels of the federal government to ramp up supply now and fix supply chain issues, so that all those who need the vaccines are able to get them.

As an example, Syracuse Community Health (SCH) told Schumer’s office that it received 30 total doses, despite ordering hundreds of doses of the RSV vaccine over months of procurement efforts.

To date, SCH has received a delivery of just 10 doses of the 100 mg formulation, critical for many of the sickest and highest risk children.

SCH sees between 20 and 30 babies per day who are in need of the RSV immunization, but SCH’s highly limited supply prevents providers from immunizing all but a select few children, Dr. Ofrona Reid, interim president and CEO of SCH, told Schumer’s office.

“Doctors should never have to make a choice between who gets a shot and who doesn’t, or tell parents they have to wait weeks or months to protect their kid from this potentially deadly virus, which is why the feds need to take action now and release more doses ASAP,” Schumer said in a news release. “That’s why I’m calling on the CDC, FDA and drug manufacturers to get all hands-on deck and work overtime to release more doses of this vital treatment, and to ensure all new doses get where they are needed most, like our hard-hit Central NY pediatricians on the frontlines.”