Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. Most people recover within one to two weeks, but RSV can be serious, especially in infants. It is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia that may lead to hospitalization or even death in newborn babies and young infants.
Disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries
Worldwide between 100,000 and 200,000 newborns and infants die from the RSV-associated diseases every year with 99% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
High-income countries can treat the RSV-infected newborns and infants with some very expensive medicine (specialized antibody-based medicine for example palivizumab).
Unfortunately, such medicines are not affordable in low- and middle-income countries due to the high costs. But now, there is hopeful news for those countries including Bangladesh.
A RSV vaccine is now available
Recently (end of August, 2023) US FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) cleared the approval of an RSV vaccine named Abrysvo (RSVpreF developed by Pfizer).
This is a special vaccine that needs to be given in pregnant women at 32 weeks through 36 weeks of gestational age. Such maternal immunization helps protect infants from birth through six months of age.
The immune systems of newborns and young infants are not fully developed, so they are not strong enough to defend against RSV infections, but they may now be protected from the moment of birth by the means of maternal immunization with the Abrysvo vaccine.
The Abrysvo vaccine is shown to be safe and effective
The Abrysvo vaccine has been extensively tested in preclinical and clinical trials. Notably, the vaccine has been tested on over 7,000 pregnant women during its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, including their infants, with a total of more than 14,000 trial participants.
The Abrysvo vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing the infants of women in the vaccine group against severe lower respiratory tract illness. Moreover, the Abrysvo vaccine has been shown to be safe for both the pregnant women and the infants of women who received the vaccine.
Why rely on vaccines?
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing or even eradicating infectious diseases. The smallpox vaccine was instrumental in eradicating smallpox. Similarly, the polio vaccine has been a huge success in nearly eradicating polio in Bangladesh.
Treating RSV-infected newborns and infants is a huge challenge even for high-income counties. But as it is always said, prevention is better than a cure. I hope that the Bangladesh government will take all the necessary steps to introduce the RSV vaccine as soon as possible, and start vaccinating pregnant women to save the lives of vulnerable newborns and infants.
Dr Rezaul Karim is a PhD, Immunologist, Vaccine and Drug Development Expert, living in Utrecht, Netherlands.
