Post-Marketing Surveillance of Nirsevimab: Safety Profile and Adverse Event Analysis from Spain's 2023-2024 RSV

Pablo Estrella-Porter1, Elisa Correcher-Martínez2, Alejandro Orrico-Sánchez2,3

  • 1Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.

Vaccines
|June 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Nirsevimab, a new monoclonal antibody for infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prophylaxis, showed a favorable safety profile in Spain. Post-marketing surveillance identified common events like rash and pyrexia, with no new safety concerns emerging.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants.
  • Bronchiolitis and other LRTI significantly burden young children's health.
  • Spain implemented universal nirsevimab prophylaxis for infants during the 2023-2024 RSV season.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety of nirsevimab in infants through post-marketing surveillance.
  • To assess adverse events following nirsevimab administration during its first season of use in Spain.
  • To identify any new or unexpected safety signals associated with nirsevimab.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive pharmacovigilance study utilizing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse events (SAEs).
  • Data sourced from the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System (SEFV-H) and industry reports (September 2023 - May 2024).
  • Analysis of SAEs by demographics, severity, and Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) Preferred Terms; reporting rates calculated.

Main Results:

  • 141 SAEs were reported across 67 cases, with an overall rate of 23.1 per 100,000 doses.
  • Most frequent events included rash, drug ineffectiveness, and pyrexia.
  • Serious adverse events comprised 53.70% of reports; two fatalities were noted, with no new safety signals identified.

Conclusions:

  • Nirsevimab demonstrated a favorable safety profile consistent with clinical trial data.
  • The benefit-risk balance of nirsevimab supports its use in reducing RSV-related illness in infants.
  • Continued pharmacovigilance is essential for maintaining confidence in RSV prophylaxis strategies.