Instead of the Abrysvo anti-video vaccine, a pregnant woman who had gone to pharmacy in error received the Vabysmo specialty, normally indicated in the age-related macular degeneration by intra-vitrean injection.
In a pharmacy, Vabysmo (Faricimab), a drug indicated in macular degeneration linked to neovascular age (humid) or in macular edema which is administered intra-Vitrean, was ordered and then administered to a pregnant woman in place of the vaccine against the syncytial respiratory virus (VRS) Abrysvo. This case was addressed during the May 13 session of the permanent scientific committee “Pharmacovigilance and good use” of the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM).
The Committee noted “That there is really a similarity of name” between the two drugs, while stressing that “The word vaccine appears well on vaccine packaging as well as, a fortiori, on prescription assistance software (LAP) and dispensation (LAD)”. To avoid confusion, he recommends double control before administration of a vaccine at the pharmacy. Abrysvo has been available in pharmacies since 2024.
The story does not specify the consequences on the pregnant woman or her child.
According to the summary of the characteristics of the product (RCP) of Vabysmo, the data on the use of Faricimab in pregnant women are limited. However, “Due to its mechanism of action (that is to say an inhibition of the Vegf), the Faricimab must be considered as potentially teratogenic and embryo/fetotoxic”specifies the document. The pregnant woman having received this medication was in the third trimester of her pregnancy.
As a reminder, orders for the Abrysvo vaccine are already open to prepare the immunization campaign against the VRS which begins on September 1 in mainland France. Abrysvo is indicated in pregnant women between the 32nd and 36th week of amenorrhea, from the start date of this campaign.
