ISLAMABAD: A healthcare expert on Monday emphasized the importance of parental awareness regarding the ‘Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)’ vaccine for pregnant women, as this virus poses a significant healthcare concern and leads to infant fatalities annually.
Dr. Mubashir Chaudhry, a public health specialist from the United States, highlighted the safety and effectiveness of a new vaccine designed to safeguard infants by administering it to pregnant women during an interview with a private news channel.
He clarified that RSV primarily affects infants and young children, with symptoms ranging from mild cold-like manifestations to severe respiratory distress.
Dr. Chaudhry highlighted that each year, a substantial number of children under the age of five require hospitalization due to RSV, often misdiagnosed as a ‘flu-like illness’ when symptoms occur.
He outlined two key methods to protect infants from RSV: a vaccine for pregnant women and a monoclonal antibody shot approved for all infants. In response to a query, he highlighted that RSV is known to induce respiratory symptoms and breathing difficulties in infants, potentially leading to hospitalization and even death.
When administered to pregnant women, the new vaccine aims to protect newborns during the critical first months of their lives. Dr. Chaudhry further explained that when pregnant women receive the vaccine, they can pass on essential antibodies to their offspring, which can help shield them against diseases in their early months. He underscored that vaccines are vital for long-term protection and prevention.
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