A novel vaccination against the so-called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during pregnancy could protect small children from serious respiratory diseases. In a clinical study, the vaccine has proven to be effective and well tolerated, the Berlin University Hospital Charité reported on Thursday. Up to 81 percent of the children were reliably protected against a serious course of the disease in their first six months of life.
Globally distributed pathogen
RSV is a global pathogen that can cause severe respiratory disease. Infection can be particularly dangerous for newborns and infants. Last winter, more newborns and infants than usual had to be treated in clinics for acute respiratory diseases in Austria and other countries. Experts suspect a catch-up effect after the corona pandemic, where comparatively few children came into contact with RSV. So far, the disease can only be treated symptomatically.
In an international vaccination study involving the Charité and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which was carried out in 18 countries between 2020 and 2022, the effectiveness of a first vaccine candidate has now been examined. Almost 3,700 study participants received the vaccine during the second or third trimester of pregnancy as an injection, a similarly large comparison group received a placebo, i.e. an injection without a vaccine.
Antibodies are passed across the placenta
When vaccinated during pregnancy, the mother-to-be produces antibodies which she passes on to the unborn child via the placenta. After birth, the children in the study were regularly examined over a period of one to two years, as well as when there were signs of respiratory diseases, and tested for the RS virus.
In more than 80 percent of the children, a severe course of RSV disease in the first three months of life could be prevented by vaccination of the mother during pregnancy, more than two thirds were still protected at the age of six months. The vaccine has been submitted to the European and US drug regulatory authorities for approval. (apa/ag)