((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
The World Health Organization on Tuesday recommended maternal vaccination and the use of antibody therapy to prevent respiratory synctial virus (RSV) in infants.
These recommendations, which relate to the administration of the vaccine and the antibody or one or the other, follow the meeting of the WHO strategic advisory group on immunization, which was held last week last.
For countries that decide to use a maternal vaccine, WHO recommends a single injection during the third trimester of pregnancy.
The vaccine from manufacturer Pfizer PFE.N is approved in the United States for use in women in the middle of the third trimester of pregnancy to protect their babies.
Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Sanofi SASY.PA and AstraZeneca AZN.L ‘s antibody treatment, Beyfortus, to prevent RSV in infants and young children.
Manufacturers received approval for an additional manufacturing line in September for the therapy because its supply was limited.
The WHO strategic advisory group also noted concerns over the supply and high cost of antibody therapy, which it said could seriously limit global access and equity of treatment.
RSV usually causes cold-like symptoms, but it is also a leading cause of pneumonia in young children and older adults.
