Protection against RSV: New vaccination strategies for pregnant women and babies

Protection against RSV: New vaccination strategies for pregnant women and babies

The respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV for short, is a reason for many parents. Around 1,100 children are hospitalized every year in Austria, which shows that hardly a child is spared. It is estimated that around 54,600 children fall ill annually to RSV. This virus is particularly dangerous for the very youngest, since almost half of the hospitalized children are less than three months old. Studies illustrate that 97 percent of children are affected by an RSV infection in the first two years of life.

A particularly dreaded episode of RSV infection is bronchiolitis, a disease in which the smallest respiratory tract ignite and are flamed. Babies who suffer such a disease show a higher risk of developing asthma in early childhood. Current research results prove a connection between RSV infections and asthma, which further increases the concerns of experts.

frequent hospital stays and high costs

A study by MedUni Graz shows that RSV is responsible for 20 percent of the hospital stays of children under the age of five. Between 2015 and 2022, the children's clinic found that 19 percent of all hospital recordings were affected by RSV respiratory diseases, which means 2 million euros in annual treatment costs. The vast majority of these children had previously been healthy and only hospitalized in the course of the illness. It is estimated that a significant percentage of children who are hospitalized is seriously ill, which is a significant burden for both families and the health system.

Especially premature babies and those with congenital diseases show an increased death rate if they are hospitalized due to RSV. According to analyzes, one of 500 healthy children dies who is treated for RSV. The scope of these diseases is underlined by the feasibility and necessity of immunized measures.

new ways to prevention

In the sign of these challenges, new prevention approaches begin to elevate. Vaccines for pregnant women have been available since the 2023/24 season. Vaccination can transfer the protective antibodies to the newborn and thus offer protection from birth. Patrick Stelzl, who works at the Medical Faculty of the Kepler University, indicates the importance of these measures: pregnant women and their babies are particularly susceptible to RSV. The vaccination, which is recommended during the 24th to 36th week of pregnancy, shows a high effectiveness against RSV infections.

The results of a large international study show that the effectiveness of vaccination in the first months after birth is around 81.8 percent. Vaccination for pregnant women is already financed in countries such as the USA and France, and a similar regulation could also make sense in Austria. Experts argue that mothers are also well informed about the advantages of vaccinations against other diseases such as whooping cough and influenza, which can also cause serious diseases in newborns.

The current development underlines the need to strengthen preventive measures. Pilot projects for passive immunization could be another protective layer for newborns in the future. In this way, one could better meet the serious health threats caused by RSV and improve the quality of life for many Austrian families.