The 2021-2022 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season runs from November 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among children younger than one year. Synagis (palivizumab) helps prevent lung diseases associated with RSV in at-risk infants. This season, PerformSpecialty^®, an independent company, will facilitate delivery of Synagis through Independence's Direct Ship Drug Program.

It is mandatory for all participating providers to obtain Synagis for their patients who are Independence members through our Direct Ship Drug Program. The 2021-2022 Synagis order forms will be online in the next few weeks. To order Synagis before these forms are available, please use the General Request form, which is available on our Direct Ship Drug Program webpage.

As the RSV season gets closer, we will publish more detailed information about Synagis distribution. We will also address any changes to dosing patterns due to interseasonal RSV concerns. This information will be developed with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), based on trends captured by the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS). At this time, administration of more than five monthly doses of Synagis is not recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CDC, or AAP.

Additional information about Synagis can be found in the Independence Medical Policy #08.00.22o: Immune Prophylaxis for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

If you have questions about Synagis, please call Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583).​