Palivizumab

Also called Synagis

Key points about palivizumab

Palivizumab is used to help prevent serious illness and hospitalisation in high-risk infants, which can be caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Palivizumab is also called Synagis.
Find out who can have it and possible side effects.

Palivizumab is a medicine used to prevent serious lung problems and respiratory illnesses caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants at high risk of infection.

RSV is a very common virus in the winter and spring months (usually between May and October) in Aotearoa New Zealand. In young infants it causes a chest infection called bronchiolitis. This is often a mild infection, but it can become serious in high risk infants under 2 years of age. Read more about RSV.

The antibodies in palivizumab help protect your baby from serious infection and hospitalisation. Palivizumab isn't used to treat RSV once someone already has the infection.

Palivizumab is not a vaccine as it doesn't stimulate your baby's body to produce its own antibodies when they come into contact with that virus in the future. Rather, the antibodies in palivizumab protects your baby from serious infection.

From January 2025 palivizumab will be funded in Aotearoa New Zealand

From January 2025, palivizumab will be funded during the RSV season (May to October) for babies 2 years of age or younger who are at high risk of severe infection, and who meet specific criteria. You may need to go to a hospital or clinic to get palivizumab, rather than your usual GP.

Palivizumab is an injection, given once a month during the RSV season. The injection is given into the muscle in your baby's thigh by a healthcare provider. The dose given will depend on your child’s weight.

For palivizumab to be effective, it’s very important that the injection is given once a month during the RSV season, usually between May and October.

This is because the level of antibodies from each palivizumab injection gradually decreases, and each injection can only help protect your child for about 1 month before another injection is needed.
So, to ensure the level of protection for your baby remains high, the injections need to be given once a month.

Like all medicines, palivizumab can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Side effect	What should I do?
Pain, swelling or redness around the injection site	This is quite common after having the injection. It usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. Don't rub the injection site. Tell your doctor if it's bothering your child.
Fever Runny poo (diarrhoea) Restlessness	This is quite common after having the injection. It usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. Tell your doctor if they're bothering your child.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face, and mouth or difficulty breathing	This is rare but serious. Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.
For more information on side effects, see the Medsafe consumer information leaflet Synagis(external link).