Positive Data Announced on RSV Vaccine That Benefits Infants

In a recent press release, biopharmaceutical company Pfizer announced high efficacy in the phase three trial of its investigational respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine designed to be administered to expecting mothers for the benefit of their babies at birth and beyond.

Specifically, when looking at severe medically attended lower respiratory tract, the efficacy for the vaccine was 81.8% through the first 90 days of life for newborns. In addition, substantial efficacy of 69.4% was demonstrated for infants over the six-month follow-up period.

“We are thrilled by these data as this is the first-ever investigational vaccine shown to help protect newborns against severe RSV-related respiratory illness immediately at birth,” said Annaliesa Anderson, PhD, Pfizer senior vice president and chief scientific officer, vaccine research and development.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can be more serious for infants and older adults. The release noted that hospitals and clinicians in some areas of the United States are currently reporting overcapacity at their facilities due to RSV.