A vaccine to protect infants from severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is now available in SA’s private healthcare sector. However, the final decision to introduce this costly vaccine to the public sector has still to be made by the National Department of Health.– Spotlight (16 June 2025)
The new vaccine, marketed by Pfizer as Abrysvo, prompts expecting mothers to create protective antibodies which are then passed to the foetus through the placenta.
“Globally, RSV is a significant cause of infant mortality. A 2019 study estimated it caused over 100,000 deaths in children under five, with 97% of these fatalities occurring in low- and middle- income countries.”