First syncytial virus vaccine approved for pregnant women

Vaccination against influenza and covid

pregnant Now they can protect their babies up to 6 months against bronchiolitis and other respiratory diseases by vaccination between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy with the first serum for adults, which has just been approved by the Ministry of Health against Respiratory syncytial virus (VRS)

Bivalent vaccine Pfizer against prefusion protein F (RSVpreF), also indicated for over 60 years oldbut so far only the National Health System will finance for pregnant women– the medical director of the company explained at the presentation of the drug, Jose Chavez. Waiting for instructions that Public Health Commissionwho must decide whether to include it in the vaccination schedule, the commercial name of the vaccine consists of a single dose, which inject into muscle upper arm and is now available in pharmacies at a price of 234.95 euros including VAT.

Since October newborns immunized with nirsevimabmonoclonal antibody, which is not a vaccine, which Hospitalization rates plummet by VRS, which represents second cause of death in infants under 12 months of age worldwide. In Spain, infections caused by this virus are believed to cause 7,000 to 14,000 hospitalizations annually, That is, in 2% of cases, symptoms similar to asthma are observed in the first 5 years of life.

Several years ago it was prohibited to vaccinate a pregnant woman.

In accordance with Maria Garcespediatrician Nazareth Medical Center (Valencia) and member Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Vaccinologists (CAV-AEP), there should not be”no interference“between both drugs, that even “maybe additional“.

“Until a few years ago, vaccination of a pregnant woman was Taboo topic, but thanks to scientific data, advances and industry, the importance of vaccination has become clear that protect yourself first various diseases and then the fetus,” said Inmaculada Cuesta, nurse, midwife and secretary National Association of Nursing and Immunization (Anenvak).

When a woman receives the vaccine, generates antibodies which is transmitted to the fetus through the placenta. “This is an altruistic act that a woman performs for the benefit of her child,” to whom she gives “ vital shield» against RSV in the first six months of life. Since the child’s protection from RSV depends on this transfer of antibodies, Abrysvo should be prescribed. between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy; The important thing that the expert wanted to make clear is that women in fertile age achieve pregnancy with all your full vaccination scheduleespecially if these are women with any risk factor.

But RSV not only affects children, explained Angel Gil, professor of preventive medicine and public health at the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, but also affects adults over 65 years of ageabout which there is underdiagnosis although there are more of them in-hospital mortality There are 8% more cases of this virus than with influenza.

The vaccine will not prevent infection, but it will prevent hospitalization.

90% of the population of this age have concomitant chronic diseasewhich becomes two at age 75 and at least 3 when you reach age 80, so you are protected from any respiratory diseases”important“Gil wanted to insist that the vaccine will not prevent infectionbut also hospitalization and death, as happens with other diseases such as covid or influenza.

According to your prospectus, Abrysvo may be put in parallel with the seasonal flu vaccine. Like all medicines, it has Side effectsmost common in pregnant women pain in the puncture area, headache, muscle pain and nausea. In older adults, the most common symptoms were fatigue, headache, injection site pain, and myalgia.

With these two indications already approved, the pharmaceutical company got to work. two additional clinical studies to evaluate Abrysvo in children at increased risk of RSV disease aged 2 to 18 years.

He second test evaluates adults from 18 to 60 years oldwith an increased risk of RSV infection due to major diseases such as asthma, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as adults over 18 years of age with weakened immune systems and therefore they are at greater risk of contracting RSV, concluded Jose Chavez, Pfizer’s medical director.

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