Education Corner
As you eagerly await the arrival of your new life, how can expectant mothers safeguard their newborns? Learn about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)—a leading cause of infant hospitalization in Hong Kong—and seize the optimal window between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to receive the single-dose ABRYSVO® RSV vaccine. Transfer antibodies through the placenta to give your newborn the ultimate health barrier.
Every time you look at the ultrasound during a prenatal check-up, seeing the little life inside grow a bit more with tiny hands and feet gently waving, the sense of anticipation and emotion is beyond words! Yet, every mother-to-be experiences growing anxieties as the due date approaches. While packing hospital bags and picking out baby clothes, every mom quietly prays: May my baby grow up safe, sound, and healthy.
Mothers currently preparing for delivery, have you heard of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)?
What is RSV? Why Does It Pose Such a Significant Threat to Newborns?
RSV is one of the leading respiratory viruses causing infant hospitalizations. Because a newborn's immune and respiratory systems are not yet fully developed, an infection can easily lead to symptoms such as coughing, fever, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it can escalate into bronchiolitis or pneumonia, sometimes even requiring IV treatment and hospitalization. Watching a tiny baby suffer while heartbroken parents weep outside the ward is every parent's worst nightmare.
Key Data: RSV's Threat to Infants and the Power of Vaccine Protection
To help expectant mothers better understand the impact of RSV and the effectiveness of vaccination, here are key medical statistics and clinical trial findings:
- High Global Infection Rate & Hospitalization Risk: Over 90% of children worldwide contract RSV at least once before the age of two. Infants under one year old represent a high-risk group for hospitalization due to severe complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
- Significant Reduction in Severe Disease & Hospitalization Risk: When expectant mothers receive the ABRYSVO® vaccine during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy, it delivers an efficacy of 81.8% against Severe Medically Attended Lower Respiratory Tract Disease (Severe MA-LRTD) caused by RSV in infants within their first 90 days of life.
- Long-Lasting Defensive Protection: Within the infant's first 180 days (approximately 6 months) after birth, vaccine efficacy against severe lower respiratory tract disease remains high at 69.4%, significantly lowering the risk of severe illness and hospitalization during early infancy.
Maternal Antibody Transfer: One Extra Step in Pregnancy to Build Your Baby's Shield
Want to give your baby the most comprehensive protection from the moment they are born? Mothers can take proactive steps during pregnancy!
Clinical studies demonstrate that when an expectant mother gets vaccinated during pregnancy, the neutralizing antibodies produced in her body are actively transferred to the baby through the placenta. This equips the baby with a "natural protective shield" right at birth, offering direct protection from mom during their most vulnerable newborn stage.
Dedicated Protection for Expectant Mothers: ABRYSVO® RSV Vaccine (Single Dose)
We provide the ABRYSVO® RSV vaccine, specifically designed for pregnant women and seniors, delivering reliable protection for both mothers and newborns:
- Optimal Timing | Suitable for expectant mothers between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
- Maternal Antibody Transfer | Requires only a single dose. Antibodies produced by the mother transfer directly to the fetus, safeguarding the newborn against RSV threats.
- Protection at Birth | Ensures your baby is born with foundational immunity, effectively preventing severe illness and hospitalization risks to give parents peace of mind.
The Best First Gift for Your Baby
"A mother's love begins from the very moment of pregnancy."
Protect yourself with peace of mind while building the first health barrier for your upcoming bundle of joy. Expectant mothers are encouraged to make full use of the golden protection window between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to give your unborn baby this powerful gift of health!
Data Sources: Global RSV epidemiological data and infant infection reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO); MATISSE phase 3 international clinical trial data (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM); regulatory review reports on maternal ABRYSVO® vaccination and MATISSE clinical trial data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).