Pfizer's vaccine against RSV was approved by the FDA. Given late in pregnancy, it protects infants for the first six months, as demonstrated by trials with 7,000 pregnant women, reducing doctor visits and hospitalizations. CNN reported on ANI.

Individuals suffering from this disease develop lung and respiratory tract infections, with children and the elderly being especially vulnerable. The condition causes numerous hospitalizations and is at its worst during the winter. The recent RSV season, which was longer and more intense than usual, overburdened children's hospitals.

Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Peter Marks in a statement said:

“RSV is a common cause of illness in children, and infants are among those at highest risk for severe disease, which can lead to hospitalization.”

“This approval provides an option for healthcare providers and pregnant individuals to protect infants from this potentially life-threatening disease,” he added as per CNN.

As per CNN, a variety of vaccines guard against RSV. The newly endorsed antibody injection safeguards infants post-birth. Additionally, there are fresh vaccines accessible for individuals aged 60 and above.

Pfizer’s senior vice president and chief scientific officer for vaccine research and development Annaliesa Anderson said in a statement:

“ABRYSVO’s approval as the first and only maternal immunization to help protect newborns immediately at birth through six months from RSV marks a significant milestone for the scientific community and for public health.”

Pfizer has said that maternal vaccination could prevent up to 16,000 hospitalizations and more than 300,000 visits to the doctor due to RSV each year if the vaccine were universally applied.