The Gazette | Anvisa approves vaccine for pregnant women that protects babies against bronchiolitis

Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) approved this Monday (1st) the first vaccine for pregnant women against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), mainly responsible for acute respiratory infections in babies up to six months of age, such as bronchiolitis.

Developed by Pfizer, the Abrysvo vaccine offers 82% protection to babies up to three months of age against serious infections. Protection drops to 69% between three and six months of age, a level that is still considered good for preventing infection with hospitalization.

The InfoGripe bulletin published by Fiocruz this Monday points out that the increase in the circulation of RSV in the country has generated a significant increase in the incidence of Srag (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in children under two years of age, surpassing Covid infections in this age group.

As of March 13, the São Paulo State Department of Health confirmed 354 cases of SARS due to RSV in children aged between 6 months and up to 6 years and 11 months. On the 21st, this number was already 516 -45.7% higher.

Globally, infections caused by RSV are one of the leading causes of death in babies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, according to research published in the US National Library of Medicine last year.

“When the mother receives the vaccine, the antibodies she produces cross the placenta, strengthening the baby’s body, whose immune system is still developing. This strategy represents a major advance in protection against RSV, a virus capable of profoundly impacting families”, says the medical director of Pfizer Brasil, Adriana Ribeiro.

Pregnant women should receive a single dose between the 24th and 36th week of pregnancy, as a way of offering an immune response against respiratory infections caused by RSV in babies up to 6 months of age.

More than 7,000 pregnant women participated in the study in 18 research centers around the world, four of which are located in Brazil.

Another vaccine against RSV was also approved last year to protect elderly people aged 60 and over, another risk group. In 2022, the mortality rate associated with RSV in this population reached 21%, according to the Brazilian Society of Immunizations.

Produced by GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), the immunizer, called Arexvy, demonstrated an 85.7% efficacy in a study against serious conditions caused by RSV in the elderly.

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