SCHUMER: MANY UPSTATE NY DOCTORS ARE FACING SHORTAGES OF NEW RSV IMMUNIZATION FOR KIDS, AND WITH RECENT COLD WEATHER INCREASING RISK FOR RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, SAYS WE NEED ACTION NOW; SCHUMER LAUNCHES TWO-PRONGED PLAN TO PUSH FEDS AND MANUFACTURERS TO GET ALL HANDS-ON DECK TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE AND DELIVER MORE DOSES FOR WNY PEDIATRICIANS AND FAMILIES TO COMBAT RSV

Statement

"The release of a brand-new immunization for RSV last year was a gamechanger in the fight against this disease that often terrifies new parents and puts our youngest children at risk. But with recent winter weather increasing risk for respiratory viruses, Western New York pediatricians and parents are justifiably nervous as we have already seen supply not able to meet the demand and we need action now. Parents and doctors should never have to scramble to ensure our children can get a vaccine from RSV. That's why I'm calling on the CDC, FDA and drug manufacturers to get all hands-on deck and work overtime to release more doses of this vital treatment, and to ensure all new doses get where they are needed most, like our hard-hit Western NY pediatricians on the frontlines.

As a grandfather to three young children, there is nothing more terrifying than the thought of them getting sick, and a parent should never have to hear there isn't enough medicine to keep their kid healthy and safe. We must do more to prevent future shortages, and manufacturers need to bolster work with federal partners to optimize their supply chains to make sure families can access this essential vaccine

Before last year, parents of young children -- especially children born premature or with respiratory issues -- largely had nothing to do except pray their child did not get RSV. If they did, in many cases the result was hospitalization, with their child hooked up to oxygen, doctors monitoring their breathing round the clock. Thankfully, the new RSV preventive antibody treatment is shown to significantly reduce the risk of severe RSV by more than 70 percent, and that is why it is critical we ensure it is easily accessible and available across Upstate New York."

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