CDC Backs Seasonal RSV Vaccine For Pregnant Women To Protect Newborns

By FYH News Team

Published on September 25, 2023

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CDC Director Mandy Cohen accepted the recommendation of the agency’s vaccine advisory panel that pregnant people get Pfizer’s RSV vaccine during the virus’ active season to provide another layer of protection for newborn babies.

AP:
RSV Vaccine Recommended During Pregnancy As A Second Option To Protect Newborns

U.S. health officials on Friday recommended RSV vaccinations for moms-to-be, a second new option to protect newborns from serious lung infections. The shots should be given late in pregnancy but only during RSV season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “This is another new tool we can use this fall and winter to help protect lives,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen in a statement. (Stobbe, 9/22)

Stat:
CDC Advisers Recommend Seasonal Use Of Pfizer RSV Shot

The vote, which passed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices by an 11-to-1 margin, was an attempt to make the choice of preventive measures less complicated for parents-to-be and the obstetricians and pediatricians who will care for each mother-baby pair. The goal is to ensure babies are protected with one or the other anti-RSV product, but ideally not both together. (Branswell, 9/22)

CIDRAP:
CDC Advisers Recommend RSV Vaccine For Pregnant Women To Protect Newborns

During today’s discussion, the group grappled with complicated issues regarding practical challenges of the rollout of a fourth vaccine recommended for pregnant women. Members also raised issues on how to balance RSV vaccination for mothers, usually managed by obstetricians, with the arrival of the new monoclonal RSV vaccine (nirsevimab-alip, also known as Beyfortus) for babies, which would be handled by pediatricians. (Schnirring, 9/22)

Meanwhile, an expert explained his plans for getting vaccines this fall —

CBS News:
How FDA’s Top Vaccines Official Is Timing His COVID Booster And Flu Shot For Fall 2023

“Some people are saying, ‘Well, could I get RSV, COVID and the flu vaccine on the same day?’ Yes, indeed, you could. But honestly, I might not,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. … Spacing out the shots by around two weeks could “minimize the chance of interactions, and minimize confusing side effects from one with another,” he said. They might be a good option for people who did not mind multiple trips to the pharmacy or their doctor’s office. (Tin, 9/22)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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