Maternal RSV vaccination: Experts advise vaccination during pregnancy

Maternal RSV vaccination: Experts advise vaccination during pregnancy

MATERNALE RSV vaccination could relieve the situation-Expert: Inside, pregnant women advise you to vaccination

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important pathogen of respiratory diseases in infants and toddlers, with children under the age of two affecting the most often affected. Nationwide, around 57,000 cases were reported for the 2023/24 RSV season. The high number of infection partially led to supply bottlenecks in children's clinics and pediatric practices. An important preventive measure that, according to the pediatrician Dr. med. Gunther Gosch from Magdeburg could contribute to relaxation of the situation, is the Maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy, whereby the baby is already born with RSV protection and is protected from RSV from the first breath.

The RS virus can occur all year round, but occurs in seasonally. In Central Europe, the RSV season is usually between the beginning of October and mid-May. In Germany alone, around 15,500 infants are treated in the hospital for RSV every year. In particular, newborns are often affected by a serious course of illness after an infection with the pathogen, since their immune system has not yet been mature. An RSV disease is not curable with medication, can take a difficult course, especially in infants and toddlers and is associated with long-term consequences such as asthmatic diseases. The Maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy has so far been the only preventive measure to protect newborns from the first breath for the first months of life from RSV. For women who are currently pregnant in the first trimester, the Maternal RSV vaccination is particularly useful, since your baby is very likely born in the RSV season and is therefore exposed to an increased RSV risk.

Since autumn 2023, there have been opportunities for broad medical RSV prevention for the first time to protect infants and toddlers from severe RSV courses, including vaccination during pregnancy. The advantage of the Maternal RSV vaccination is that vaccination during pregnancy is already born with an RSV protection and the infants from the first day of life are effectively protected against RSV infections over about six months. In addition, the organization and other appointments for parents are also eliminated at the pediatrician, which would be necessary for the use of RSV prophylaxis after the birth of the child to protect it from RSV.

In addition to the Saxon Vaccination Commission (Siko), the professional association of gynecologists (BVF), the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) as well as other specialist societies and working groups for the Maternal RSV vaccination have spoken out in a joint statement. In order to improve the RSV supply with a view to the next season 2024/25, Dr. med. Gosch that his college: inside from pediatrics and gynecology: In the inside, increasingly information about the RSV risk in infants and toddlers as well as the Maternal RSV vaccination as a new pension capacity, so that many expectant mothers decide on the RSV vaccination provision. This would not only make an important contribution to reducing the disease burden in infants, but also relieving the children's clinics and pediatric practices.

At the moment, the Maternal RSV vaccination is not a mandatory cash benefit and needs to be paid for yourself. However, over 25 health insurance companies cover the costs for their insured on a voluntary basis. Pregnant women should inform themselves directly from their health insurance company.

becoming mothers who can be vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy can transfer their vaccination protection to the still unborn child. The principle of maternal immunization applies: the antibodies formed after vaccination by the pregnant woman pass into the blood of the unborn child via the placenta. The newborn then benefits from birth for a certain time from a so -called nest protection and is immune to certain pathogens. Pregnant women can use pediatricians: inside and gynecolog: advise on the maternal RSV vaccination inside and have 24 and 36 vaccinated between the week of pregnancy. The principle of maternal immunization has been established for many years and a safe procedure for the pregnant woman and the fetus. The STIKO recommends expectant mothers z. B. since 2020 vaccination against whooping cough to reduce the risk of illness in newborns from birth.

fact table:

| Fact | Value |
| ———————— | --—————– |
| Number of RSV cases (2023/24) | 57,000 |
| Number of hospitalized infants due to RSV in Germany | 15:500 |
| Recommended vaccination period for the Maternal RSV vaccination | Pregnancy week 24-36 |
| Assumption of costs by health insurance companies | Over 25 health insurance companies cover costs for their insured |

Source: Own research based on the press announcement.

Source: pfizer pharma GmbH/ots