RSV-Vacciantion “Beyfortus”

Dear patients / parents,

In January 2024, the STIKO recommended vaccination with Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) against RSV (Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus) for all infants in their first year of life. We pediatricians were very pleased with this recommendation, as RSV has led to many illnesses and full practices/emergency practices every year and, unfortunately, to full children’s hospitals again and again. We were optimistic that the 2024/2025 season would go much better than all previous seasons.

Then there was a lot of negotiation and a lot of arguing… Among other things, and especially politicians, wasted a lot of time and, together with the health insurance companies, ultimately drove the cart into the wall. This season will probably go the same way as all the others before it.

The current status is as follows:

According to the requirements of the North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, all infants born from April 1, 2024 are entitled to this vaccination. By definition, everyone born before that has already experienced an RSV season and is therefore not considered to be at increased risk. Newborns should be vaccinated directly in the maternity clinic, and everyone else in our practices.
It is unclear when and in what quantities the maternity clinics and practices will be supplied with the “Beyfortus” vaccine. We are currently assuming the end of October.
We will give priority to vaccinating children at risk (premature babies, children with severe heart or lung disease).
The RSV vaccinations will be offered as part of existing appointments (precautions, vaccinations).
Privately insured people must get a prescription for Beyfortus from the practice beforehand – be careful, the vaccine currently costs €450!
This is not “Oh, poor me, doctor” whining!! But the miserable pay for the vaccination does not allow me to introduce extra vaccination consultation hours and work extra on the weekends like with Corona. We doctors make a turnover of €8.95 per vaccination (for comparison: pharmacies receive €19 just for storage!) I simply cannot offer extra vaccination consultation hours from a business perspective.
Please refrain from calling my staff to ask about this topic.
There will probably be a lot more happening on this topic, the information here is updated regularly.

Annoyed but of course still warm greetings!

Axel Gerschlauer