New RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Women Aims to Reduce Infant Hospitalizations

UK health authorities launch vaccination program to protect newborns from respiratory syncytial virus, a leading cause of severe lung infections in infants.

• The vaccine targets respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which infects 90% of children within their first two years.
• RSV can cause serious conditions like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to significant infant hospitalizations.
• Pregnant women past 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine, which transfers protective antibodies to their babies.
• Health experts predict the vaccine could prevent 5,000 infant hospital admissions and 200 intensive care cases annually.
• Older adults, particularly those over 75, are also eligible for the vaccine due to their increased risk of severe RSV.

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