Public health officials are now specifically recommending that pregnant women receive Pfizer’s bivalent RSVpreF RSV vaccine to help protect newborn babies from the respiratory disease.
The bivalent RSVpreF vaccine, marketed as Abrysvo, has been shown to reduce the risk of RSV hospitalization for babies by 57% in the first 6 months after birth, the CDC said.
The recommendation is for seasonal administration of one dose of RSV vaccine for expectant mothers during Weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy.
Last month, the CDC recommended one dose of nirsevimab for all infants aged younger than 8 months born during, or who are entering, their first RSV season, as well as one dose of nirsevimab for infants and children aged 8 to 19 months old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season.
Vaccination of pregnant women “is another new tool we can use this fall and winter to help protect lives,” said CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, adding, “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.”
The RSVpreF vaccine was available in some locations in the United States in late September, and availability is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three major respiratory viruses—COVID-19, RSV, and influenza.
Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The CDC now recommends RSV vaccination for adults aged 60 years and older, using shared clinical decision-making. This means these individuals should talk to their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is appropriate for them at this time.
On September 22, 2023, members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 11-1 to recommend a maternal RSV vaccine for pregnant women during 32 through 36 weeks’ gestation, using seasonal administration, to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract infection in infants. The ACIP also voted to approve Pfizer’s bivalent RSVpreF vaccine for the Vaccines for Children Program (applying to pregnant women aged 19 years or younger).
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