The CDC has issued a recommendation for the Pfizer maternal vaccine as a means of safeguarding infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This recommendation signals the vaccine’s forthcoming availability in the United States during the upcoming autumn season. The guidance is primarily aimed at expectant mothers in the 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy range, advising them to consider receiving the Pfizer maternal vaccine between September and January to provide protection for their infants. This is particularly important as RSV stands as a prominent cause of infant hospitalizations in the United States.
This recommendation follows a resounding 11 to 1 vote in favor of it by an independent advisory panel associated with the CDC. CDC Director Mandy Cohen swiftly endorsed the guidance, emphasizing the vaccine’s role in preserving lives during the approaching fall and winter seasons. She urged parents to consult with healthcare professionals about protecting their infants from severe RSV illness, either through pregnancy vaccination or post-birth RSV immunization.
The Pfizer vaccine, known as Abrysvo, is already approved for adults aged 60 and above in the US. The CDC’s endorsement aligns with the expected rise in RSV and other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, during this period.
Health officials are hopeful that Pfizer’s vaccine, along with other treatments, will fortify the nation’s ability to combat RSV, particularly after a severe RSV season in the preceding year. RSV typically presents mild cold-like symptoms but poses a significant risk to young children and older adults, leading to hundreds of child deaths, thousands of senior fatalities, and tens of thousands of child hospitalizations annually.
Pfizer anticipates that its maternal vaccine could prevent numerous RSV-related hospitalizations and doctor visits during the upcoming US fall and winter seasons. Dr. Luis Jodar, Pfizer’s Chief Medical Officer for Vaccines Medical Development, highlighted the significance of this period as the onset of the Northern Hemisphere’s annual respiratory infection season, now bolstered with vaccines for multiple infectious diseases and the first-ever available RSV vaccine to protect two vulnerable populations.
Key Points on Maternal Immunization and RSV Prevention
- Pfizer’s single-dose vaccine employs maternal immunization to pass on antibodies to the fetus, offering RSV protection from birth through the first six months of life.
- FDA approval established the dosing timeframe at 32 to 36 weeks during pregnancy.
- CDC endorses an RSV injection called Beyfortus for infants under eight months.
- A CDC advisory panel subgroup suggests that not all infants may require both Beyfortus and Pfizer’s Abrysvo.
- The choice between RSV prevention products depends on discussions between expectant individuals and their prenatal care providers.
Pfizer also shared unpublished data with the CDC advisory panel, suggesting a reduction in preterm births among women who received the vaccine within the approved dosing timeframe of 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. This drop was observed compared to those who received a placebo—4.2% versus 3.7%, respectively. However, Pfizer’s vaccine’s prescription label will contain a cautionary note against administering the injection prior to the 32nd week of pregnancy due to the observed discrepancy in premature births.
