Top paediatrician warns more babies will suffer as RSV drug still unapproved

Leading pediatricians are sounding an alarm, warning that New Zealand faces a grim winter with more infants succumbing to preventable diseases. Their primary concern centers on the continued lack of approval for a vital Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) drug.

Paediatricians Dame Teuila Percival and Adrian Trenholme, who have worked at Middlemore's Kidz First Children's Hospital for 25 years, argue that the nation is failing to adequately prioritize the health of its youngest citizens. This lack of focus, they contend, will have dire consequences, particularly during the upcoming winter months.

The warning highlights a critical gap in child healthcare, with the unapproved RSV drug representing a significant missed opportunity to protect vulnerable babies. The pediatricians' statements underscore the urgent need for action to ensure children's health is given the prominence it deserves.