A glimmer of hope for young children suffering respiratory illnesses, as a new medication is under consideration

Pharmac and Medsafe are considering funding for a monoclonal antibody designed to protect infants from RSV.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is urging it to be a priority, saying thousands of children are hospitalised each year.

Medical Director Bob Hancox says the treatment could drastically reduce the number of those who end up in hospital from RSV.

He says the current medication has to be given by injection each month whereas the new medication would be a single shot that would last the whole RSV season.