Introduction to VSR and its Impact
The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (VSR) is a significant cause of severe respiratory illnesses in infants and the elderly. Gonzalo Pérez Marc, a pediatrician and clinical pharmacology research specialist, shared with El Economista that VSR can lead to severe conditions like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), VSR causes approximately 3.6 million hospitalizations annually worldwide, resulting in nearly 100,000 child deaths under five years old. Almost half of these fatalities are among six-month-old infants, and it is estimated that nearly 100% of babies will contract VSR.
The Importance of Pregnancy Vaccination
To combat this issue, Pérez Marc emphasized the significance of vaccinating pregnant women to transfer protective antibodies to their newborns.
“Vaccinating pregnant women to generate a robust immune response, enabling them to pass on neutralizing antibodies or defenses to their babies, ensuring newborns are born protected, marks a historic change in pediatrics,” the specialist explained.
He further highlighted that nearly two million pregnant women worldwide have been vaccinated against VSR with high efficacy, effectiveness, and safety.
Availability in Mexico
In Mexico, the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) approved Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccine against VSR for women in the third trimester of pregnancy in December 2024.
“Currently, in Mexico, the vaccine will be available in the private sector starting October and is intended to be incorporated into the national vaccination calendar in the public sector,” Pérez Marc stated.
He added that, while Abrysvo is the only VSR vaccine available for pregnant women, it is also accessible for adults over 65 in some countries like Argentina, where it is available privately.
Historic Significance for Pediatrics
Pérez Marc concluded that this development is one of the most significant milestones in pediatrics this century, as it offers new strategies to prevent what is considered the primary winter respiratory illness in pediatrics.
“With new approaches, including vaccinating pregnant women, administering new antibodies to children, and ongoing research on pediatric antiviral vaccines, we are revolutionizing the field of pediatrics,” the expert asserted.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is VSR and why is it a concern? VSR (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) causes severe respiratory illnesses, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, affecting infants and the elderly. It results in 3.6 million hospitalizations and nearly 100,000 child deaths annually.
- How can VSR be prevented? Pregnancy vaccination against VSR is crucial, as it enables mothers to transfer protective antibodies to their newborns.
- What is the significance of the Abrysvo vaccine in Mexico? Approved by Cofepris, Abrysvo is the first VSR vaccine available for pregnant women in Mexico, with plans to include it in the national vaccination calendar.
- Why is this development historic for pediatrics? This milestone offers new strategies to prevent VSR, a primary winter respiratory illness in pediatrics, revolutionizing the field through vaccination and antibody approaches.
