More than 18,000 pregnant women have already been vaccinated against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), with 95 percent of them complying with the public health calendar, according to a report from the Ministry of Health. The immunization strategy aims to provide protection to newborns during the first six months of life, the period of greatest vulnerability for severe illness caused by the infection that this virus provokes.
The RSV vaccine is available in all public vaccination centers across the country, as it was included in the National Calendar last year. It is administered as one dose per pregnancy between weeks 32 and 36 plus six days of gestation, without the need for a medical order, just by presenting the certificate indicating the gestational week.
This year, the Ministry of Health started the vaccination in January with the purpose of achieving greater coverage of the population during the period of highest virus circulation. This will help prevent the development of severe forms of the disease and avoid overwhelming the healthcare system.
Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI) caused by RSV lead to a significant and sustained increase in pediatric consultations, both outpatient and in emergency rooms, as well as high occupancy rates in general wards, pediatric and neonatal intensive care beds, and rescheduling of diagnostic and surgical procedures.
The highest rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide during the first year of life are attributed to the circulation of this virus. It is estimated that one third of deaths in children under one year old are caused by this virus, reaching up to 97 percent in developing countries.
Among the vaccines that protect pregnant women and newborns are the flu vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine. For the unborn baby, there is the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine, in addition to the RSV vaccine.
