The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved two new vaccines designed to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major cause of severe respiratory illness and death among young children worldwide.
The two vaccines, named nirsevimab and Abrysvo, are the first of their kind to be recommended by WHO for the prevention of RSV in infants. Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody administered as a single dose to newborns and infants, while Abrysvo is a maternal vaccine given to pregnant women, which then provides protection to their babies through passive immunity.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in infants and young children. According to WHO, RSV is responsible for over 100,000 deaths in children under five each year, with the highest burden in low- and middle-income countries.
The approval of these vaccines is a significant milestone in global child health. WHO officials highlighted that widespread use of nirsevimab and Abrysvo could dramatically reduce hospitalizations and deaths caused by RSV, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Countries are now encouraged to consider including these vaccines in their national immunization programs, especially in regions with high RSV-related morbidity and mortality.
