Vaccinating pregnant women against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to protect their babies does not increase the risk of preterm birth or other negative outcomes, a study by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian researchers has found.
The study, recently published in JAMA Network Open, provides real-world evidence supporting the safety of Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccine. The research showed comparable preterm birth rates between vaccinated women (5.9 percent) and unvaccinated women (6.7 percent).
Lead author Dr. Moeun Son emphasized the importance of this real-world data, stating, “This study adds an extra level of confidence in the safety of the vaccine for pregnant women. Clinical trials may not always represent the diverse populations we see in practice, but these findings provide reassurance.”
The senior author of the study, Dr. Heather Lipkind, highlighted the significance of protecting infants from RSV, a virus that can lead to severe lower respiratory infections.
Protecting Infants from RSV
RSV infections cause thousands of hospitalizations and fatalities in young children annually. The Abrysvo vaccine was approved in 2023 for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks gestation, offering protection to newborns during their most vulnerable stage.
The vaccine, administered as a single dose, prompts the production of antibodies that pass from mother to baby through the placenta.
Researchers, including Dr. Son, examined pregnancy outcomes in over 3,000 women who received care at two New York hospitals during the initial vaccine rollout. The study encompassed various birth risks, with no significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated women.
The study findings are particularly encouraging as they include pregnant women with underlying health conditions excluded from vaccine trials. Dr. Son affirmed that vaccination during pregnancy is a safe measure to shield infants from RSV infections.
Enhancing Vaccination Rates
Despite favorable safety outcomes, the study noted disparities in vaccination rates. While the New York hospitals achieved a 35% vaccination rate among pregnant patients, concerns were raised about lower rates among Black women, those with public insurance, and those with fewer prenatal visits.
Dr. Son expressed the need to address these disparities, aiming to improve vaccine uptake among all eligible women. Strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy and enhance accessibility are crucial steps in safeguarding maternal and infant health.
