MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — As we head into cold and flu season, the medical community wants pregnant women to know that the RSV vaccine is recommended. The FDA approved it last year. The goal, doctors say, is to protect newborns from serious illness.
“It’s really important that the mother is able to pass the antibodies to her infant,” said Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Landers said infants are especially at risk of becoming seriously ill from RSV and may need oxygen or ventilators in the hospital.
“The last thing you want to experience as a parent is to have your newborn come home and then have to go back to the hospital and be put on an IV, oxygen, and possibly intubated,” Mobile County Health Officer Kevin Michaels said. the doctor said. “That’s what the RSV vaccine does: the pregnant mother passes the immunity to her child.”
“So the baby has these antibodies to protect against RSV complications. So the baby can still get infected with RSV, but it won’t cause serious complications such as hospitalization.” said Katie Erdlitz, DNP.
Eldritz is a nurse and owner of Lullaby Visits, a company that provides in-home newborn visits. Erdlitz said that because the vaccine must be stored at a certain temperature, not all obstetricians and gynecologists can administer it to expectant mothers during their check-ups. Erdlitz said Fairhope Pediatrics has the equipment and is currently offering it.
“You don’t have to be our patient, you don’t have to be the mother of our patient. We can administer it to anyone in the community,” Erdlitz said.
Vaccines are also available at pharmacies. Dr. Landers encourages pregnant mothers who may be hesitant to get vaccinated because of the new recommendations to talk to their doctors and ask questions.
“Keep in mind that this is actually a very well-studied vaccine and the safety profile is very good,” Landers said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that women be vaccinated between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant. Erdlitz said insurance companies and Medicaid will cover the cost. The CDC says newborns and some young children can be vaccinated with RSV antibodies, and the CDC also recommends the vaccine for people 60 and older.
