CDC recommends first maternal RSV vaccine to protect infants

Sep 25, 2023 - 02:14 PM
Syringe in vial.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sept. 22 recommended the first maternal vaccine to protect newborns from severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus, the leading cause of hospitalization for U.S. infants. In a clinical study, the Pfizer vaccine (Abrysvo) reduced the risk of hospitalization by 57% in the first six months after birth. CDC recommends receiving one dose of the vaccine during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy.

“I encourage parents to talk to their doctors about how to protect their little ones against serious RSV illness, using either a vaccine given during pregnancy, or an RSV immunization given to your baby after birth,” said CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in August. It is currently available in some U.S. locations and should become more available in the coming weeks, CDC said.

Related News Articles

Headline
ACOG releases new guidance on prenatal care delivery
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists April 17 released guidance recommending a new approach to prenatal care delivery. The guidance calls…
Headline
Study finds twins develop slower in early pregnancy than previously believed 
The National Institutes of Health April 7 released a study that found twins — smaller at birth on average than singletons — develop slower in early pregnancy…
Headline
Study: Early pregnancy blood pressure patterns linked to hypertension risk up to 14 years later
A National Institutes of Health study published April 2 found that blood pressure patterns observed during the first half of pregnancy can determine a woman's…
Headline
CDC: U.S. birth rate fell 2% in 2023
The U.S. birth rate fell 2% in 2023 to about 3.6 million, according to final data released March 18 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The…
Headline
Study shows importance of vitamin D levels for infant health
A study by the Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences found that low vitamin D levels in the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with higher…
Headline
CDC: U.S. maternal mortality rate declined in 2023
The U.S. maternal mortality rate decreased to 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, down from 22.3 in 2022, according to new data from the Centers for…