KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 16 -- Sanofi and AstraZeneca's Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) is now approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and is available for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants born during or entering their first RSV season.

RSV is predominantly seen in infants less than one year old and infected children below two years old had a high hospitalisation rate of 84.5 per cent.

As a tropical climate country, RSV circulation in Malaysia is seen throughout the year with distinct peaks.

Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, Technical Chairman of Immunise4Life and former president of the Malaysian Paediatric Association, said "In Malaysia, RSV remains a signif...