The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended a new RSV vaccine for pregnant women to protect infants from this common respiratory virus. RSV is a pediatric respiratory infection that affects children under 5, with around 200 deaths annually. The scarcity of the preventative shot has left many infants at heightened risk of hospitalization and death.
Getting the RSV vaccine while pregnant can help protect newborns, as the protective benefits pass to their babies. The maternal vaccine, called Abrysvo, is different from the shot recommended for infants and can be administered between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Despite the benefits, many pregnant women are struggling to find the RSV vaccine in stock. Limited supplies have made it difficult for some to access the vaccine, leaving them worried about protecting their newborns against RSV.
For those unable to access the vaccine, good hygiene and avoiding contact with sick individuals can help reduce the risk of contracting RSV. But healthcare providers emphasize the importance of getting the RSV vaccine while pregnant, as prevention is always the best medicine for any condition.
