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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a significant stride for global child health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially prequalified its first-ever vaccine to protect infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This common but potentially dangerous virus is a leading cause of serious lung infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia in babies and young children worldwide.

The newly approved vaccine, Pfizer's Abrysvo, employs an innovative approach: it's administered as a single dose to pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation. The antibodies generated by the mother are then passed to the fetus, providing crucial protection to the newborn from birth up to six months of age – the period when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV illness.

RSV might sound like just another cold, and for most healthy adults and older children, it often is. However, for infants, especially those born prematurely or with underlying health conditions, an RSV infection can lead to severe breathing difficulties, hospitalization, and in tragic cases, can be fatal. Until now, prevention options were limited, and treatment primarily involved supportive care.

The WHO's prequalification is a major milestone. It signifies that the vaccine meets stringent international standards for safety, quality, and efficacy. Clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness, showing it to be approximately 82% effective against severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in infants within their first 90 days of life, with protection remaining around 69% effective by six months.

This prequalification paves the way for global health organizations like UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to procure and distribute Abrysvo, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of RSV is heaviest and access to advanced medical care is often limited. The availability of an effective maternal vaccine offers a powerful new tool to significantly reduce infant hospitalizations and deaths due to RSV globally.

For expectant parents, this development means there's now a highly effective, WHO-endorsed option to help shield their babies from a common and potentially severe respiratory threat right from birth. Consulting with healthcare providers during pregnancy will be key to understanding its suitability and timing. This vaccine represents a beacon of hope, promising healthier starts for countless newborns around the world.


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