Each year, 2.1 million children under 5 years of age receive outpatient treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, infections in up to 80,000 young people result in severe illness and hospitalization, making RSV the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in this country.
in report Announced this month, the CDC recommends RSV vaccination between now and January 31, 2024, for anyone who is between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant during that month. The goal is to provide protection during the fall through spring seasons, when RSV is most prevalent in most parts of the country.
Vaccines for pregnant people were designed to protect newborns who are most vulnerable to RSV: infants under 6 months of age and premature infants. After six months, the vaccine’s protection against the virus decreases.
For women whose pregnancies do not qualify for recommended “seasonal administration” of vaccines, the agency recommends vaccinating infants immediately after birth. RSV is a common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, fever, sore throat, and nasal congestion that usually clear up within a few days.
Almost all children are infected with RSV by the age of 2 years. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, not only adults over 65 but also young children are susceptible to RSV infection, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. early signs This can include a wheezing cough and difficulty breathing, the American Lung Association says.
The CDC notes that 100 to 300 children under the age of 5 and 6,000 to 10,000 people over the age of 65 die from RSV infection each year.
This article is part of the Post’s “Big Number” series, which briefly examines the statistical aspects of health issues. Additional information and related research is available via hyperlinks.
