Synagis®: How it works to help protect high-risk babies from severe RSV

Synagis is the only FDA-approved medication to help protect high-risk babies from severe RSV disease. Even though Synagis is given as a shot by your healthcare provider, it's not a vaccine and it works differently. Each Synagis shot provides a dose of virus-fighting substances called antibodies that help prevent RSV from infecting your baby’s lungs.

There are enough antibodies in one Synagis shot to help protect your baby’s lungs for about 28-30 days. That’s why it’s important to get every single shot on schedule during RSV season. Missing or delaying just one shot could put your baby at increased risk.

Synagis is meant to help prevent serious RSV infections. If your baby already has RSV, you should work with your doctor to help treat the symptoms. Your doctor may then recommend Synagis to help prevent any future cases of severe RSV disease.

How Synagis helps high-risk babies

Preemies are often born before getting enough antibodies from their mothers to help fight RSV and other viruses. But preemies are also at greater risk for severe RSV disease because their lungs are less developed and their airways are narrower than those of full-term babies. Synagis helps preemies by providing more infection-fighting antibodies to help protect their vulnerable lungs from RSV.

The first Synagis shot should be given before RSV season starts.

Babies born with heart disease or chronic lung disease also need help fighting RSV. These babies are more likely to be hospitalized due to an RSV infection. The antibodies in Synagis help prevent these babies from developing severe RSV disease.

What to expect

Some babies may feel a little warmth, redness, or pain at the site of their Synagis shot. As with other shots, this reaction is normal and usually goes away on its own. You should also know that as your baby grows, the more antibodies he or she might need. Each dose of Synagis is based on your baby’s weight, so don’t be surprised if your baby needs a larger amount of Synagis each month.

Crista's story
"A lot of people think this RSV shot is like a flu shot. But you don't do it just once. You have to get it once a month..."

Important Safety Information

Synagis® (palivizumab) is indicated for the prevention of serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children at high risk of RSV disease. Synagis is given as a shot, usually in the thigh muscle, each month during the RSV season. The first dose of Synagis should be given before RSV season begins. Children who develop an RSV infection while receiving Synagis should continue the monthly dosing schedule throughout the season. Synagis has been used in more than one million children in the U.S. since its introduction in 1998.

Very rare cases (<1 per 100,000 patients) of severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and rare (<1 per 1,000 patients) hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with Synagis. These rare reactions may occur when any dose of Synagis is given, not just the first one. Also, rare but serious side effects can occur, which may lead to unusual bruising and/or groups of pinpoint red spots found on the skin.

Other side effects with Synagis may include upper respiratory tract infection, ear infection, fever, and runny nose. In children born with heart problems, Synagis was associated with reports of low blood oxygen levels and abnormal heart rhythms. Synagis should not be used in patients with a history of a severe prior reaction to Synagis or its components. Side effects, such as, skin reactions around the area where the shot was given (like redness, swelling, warmth, or discomfort) can also occur.