CDC Recommends RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Women to Protect Infants

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that pregnant individuals receive an RSV vaccine between 32 to 36 weeks of gestation to protect their newborns from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine, called Abrysvo and manufactured by Pfizer, is the first approved vaccine that can safeguard babies from RSV. Clinical trial data showed that the vaccine reduced the risk of severe RSV disease among infants by 91% within three months after birth. RSV is a significant threat to children under the age of 5, causing hospitalizations and deaths annually. The CDC also approved another form of RSV protection for babies, an injectable drug called Beyfortus. The availability of both vaccines provides multiple options for protecting infants from RSV.