As the fall season unfolds, prioritizing your annual vaccinations becomes increasingly crucial for safeguarding your health. This year, a new vaccine is available, specifically targeting pregnant women to offer enhanced protection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that pregnant women receive the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine during weeks 32 to 36 of their pregnancy. This vaccination is designed to stimulate the production of antibodies, which will subsequently transfer to the developing baby during pregnancy. Consequently, when the baby is born, it begins life with a substantial reservoir of antibodies to combat RSV illness.
Maternal-fetal medicine doctor Dr. Alisa Kachikis expresses hope that this new vaccine will significantly reduce the incidence of severe RSV cases, especially in very young infants. She notes that the previous RSV season saw a substantial number of severe cases among infants, and this year’s approach aims to mitigate such occurrences.
“Last year, the RSV season was pretty severe for both very young infants and older babies. This season, with the RSV vaccine administered during pregnancy and the availability of monoclonal antibodies for babies, we are working collectively to minimize RSV-related illnesses and hospitalizations compared to last year,” stated Dr. Alisa Kachikis, a maternal-fetal medicine doctor at UW Medicine.
It is noteworthy that the RSV vaccine also offers protection to expectant mothers, reducing the risk of illness during pregnancy. Additionally, this vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 60 and above.
As always, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider to address any concerns or inquiries related to vaccinations.
