Title: CDC Recommends Pfizer’s Abryvso Vaccine for Expectant Mothers to Protect Infants from RSV
In a recent development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended a new vaccine called Abryvso, developed by Pfizer, to safeguard infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by vaccinating expectant mothers. The vaccine, administered during the third trimester, aims to shield newborns from lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV during their crucial first six months of life.
RSV is a highly contagious virus and is recognized as the primary cause of hospitalization for infants in the United States. Every year, this virus leads to approximately 1.5 million medical visits, 60,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations, and tragically claims the lives of up to 300 children under the age of five.
With an aim to combat this significant public health concern, the CDC has recommended the use of the Abryvso vaccine for expectant mothers navigating their third trimesters during the fall surge in RSV. In other regions with different RSV seasons, alternative recommendations may be made.
The vaccine’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in pregnant individuals is limited to those between 32 to 36 weeks into gestation, minimizing the risk of premature birth. This age range ensures the safety and efficacy of the vaccine for both mother and unborn child.
This fall, parents will have two options available to protect their babies from RSV. In addition to Pfizer’s Abryvso, another preventive approach known as nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody jointly developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca, will also be available.
However, the CDC advises parents to opt for either one of these preventive measures, as both options are considered to be redundant. Pfizer’s vaccine has demonstrated a remarkable 82% reduction in the risk of severe RSV during the first three months of life and a 70% reduction during the first six months.
Encouragingly, the CDC projects that approximately 50% of eligible individuals will choose to receive the vaccine. As such, both Pfizer’s Abryvso and nirsevimab are expected to be readily available this fall, effectively protecting vulnerable infants from the impending RSV season.
In conclusion, the CDC’s endorsement of Pfizer’s Abryvso vaccine offers a promising solution in the fight against RSV. By immunizing expectant mothers in their third trimester, the vaccine provides infants with crucial protection against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV during their first six months of life. With the availability of two preventive options this fall, early vaccination becomes a critical mandate to shield babies from the harmful effects of RSV.
