RSV Vaccine Now Free For Pregnant Women: Know All About It Before Getting Vaccinated

Australia is making a giant leap in safeguarding its youngest citizens from respiratory syncytial virus, the leading cause of infant hospitalization. From February 3, pregnant women across the country will be eligible for a free RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, under the National Immunisation Program. This $174.5 million initiative promises to save lives and ease the burden on healthcare systems, particularly during the winter months when RSV cases peak.

RSV is an extremely contagious droplet infection causing mainly respiratory infections among children. It hospitalizes around 12,000 Australian babies every year. Most of these require intensive care. The common symptoms are nasal discharge, fever, cough, wheezing, and breathing difficulty. In most adults and older children, recovery is usually prompt, but it can be fatal for infants.

The head of epidemiology at Deakin University, Catherine Bennett described RSV as "particularly nasty" to small children. They really can't help but battle to breathe well sometimes require ventilators. It may kill them as well. And hence, prevention via vaccination would prove very significant for them.

So, How Does the Vaccine Work?

The RSV vaccine Abrysvo, which is developed by Pfizer, is administered to pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. It stimulates the mother's immune system to produce RSV-specific antibodies that are passed on to the baby through the placenta. Maternal antibodies offer newborns immediate protection during their most vulnerable months, reducing the risk of severe illness by 70% in the first six months of life.

The vaccine will help in saving more lives, says health experts. The president of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Dr. Michael Wright added, "It will keep the babies safe and save the money of the expectant families. RSV has to be taken very seriously. I would urge all pregnant women to take this vaccine once it's available."

RSV is pervasive, with most children contracting it at least once before their second birthday. The Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report recorded over 172,000 RSV cases in the past year, highlighting the virus’s extensive reach.

Between 2016 and 2019, over 115,000 RSV-related hospitalizations were reported, three-quarters of which involved children under five. Infants under six months are particularly vulnerable due to their underdeveloped immune systems.

Also Read: Postpartum Nutrition Guide: Foods Every New Mom Needs For Recovery And Lactation

Other High-Risk Infants' Options and Alternatives

While Abrysvo protects mother, there exists another preventive care for infants, nirsevimab. Since it is different from a routine vaccine, a monoclonal antibody injection imparts ready made immunities against the RSV attack. It goes well with risky infants or ones whose mothers failed to get themselves vaccinated with an RSV antibody during pregnancy.

As Australian National University infectious diseases specialist Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake explained, "With vaccinations, you're trying to induce immunity, but a monoclonal antibody means you give the ready-made antibodies to that person, so they don't have to make the antibodies for themselves."

Nirsevimab has been integrated into programs in states such as New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, targeting eligible infants based on RSV seasonality. However, its cost-effectiveness has been a point of contention, delaying its inclusion in broader national immunization schemes.

Australia's RSV initiative is a global trend. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has approved the Pfizer RSV vaccine to be administered in pregnant women from 32 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation during the RSV season, which typically falls between September and January. The vaccine introduction has greatly decreased infant hospitalization in regions where immunization programs are well set up.

Should You Get Vaccine During Pregnancy?

Extensive studies have been conducted about the safety of RSV vaccines in pregnant women. Data from clinical research involving nearly 4,000 pregnant women show that vaccination is safe. Although more vaccinated mothers experienced premature births (2.1% compared to the 1.9% rate in the control group), researchers believe the difference is statistically insignificant.

The vaccine has already been approved by regulatory bodies in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, with post-market surveillance confirming its efficacy and safety.

Despite vaccination, RSV remains difficult to control because of its high transmissibility. The virus spreads quickly through coughing, sneezing, and contact with contaminated surfaces, making it hard to prevent within households and childcare settings. Basic hygiene measures such as handwashing and covering one's mouth when sneezing can help, but vaccination remains the most effective strategy to curb severe infections. Impact of the RSV Vaccination

Health Minister Mark Butler has described the introduction of the RSV vaccine as a "game-changer" for maternal and infant health. The program is expected to reduce infant hospitalizations by up to 10,000 annually, easing the strain on healthcare systems and providing peace of mind to families.

"This program will significantly relieve pressured hospitals during difficult winter months and reduce the distress for parents who have to see their newborns hospitalized due to RSV," Butler said.

What Pregnant Women Need to Know About RSV Vaccination

Pregnant women are advised to talk to the health care professionals about RSV vaccination. The National Immunisation Programme has made it available free to all eligible mothers, as a result of it being free for all eligible mothers.

For pregnant women who might miss the shot during pregnancy, it is well recommended that the newborn be sought for nirsevimab vaccination from a pediatrician.

The landmark move in introducing free RSV vaccines for pregnant women in Australia would save thousands of infant lives annually. It equips newborns with maternal antibodies to provide a lifeline to vulnerable babies during their earliest months of life.

Such programs highlight the significance of vaccination for public health and how RSV cases continue to burden families and healthcare systems. This is a good opportunity for pregnant women to protect their babies as they begin life with the best defense against RSV.

Perinatal Outcomes After RSV Vaccination During Pregnancy—Addressing Emerging Concerns. JAMA Netw Open. 2024