Ep 6. RSV Ready: New Mumma Vaccine and Antibody Breakthroughs. Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath

Episode 6. RSV Ready: New Mumma Vaccine and Antibody Breakthroughs. Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath

Paul Heath is a Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and St George’s, University of London, where he is the Director of the Vaccine Institute.

His research interests include the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, and clinical vaccine trials, particularly in at-risk groups and in perinatal infections. He coordinates the UK Paediatric Vaccine Group (UKPVG), is a member of the JCVI, is the NIHR Speciality Lead for Children’s research for South London CRN and is co-Chair of the UK Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Forum.

This episode gives insight into the new and exciting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine offered routinely in pregnancy in the USA . The vaccine is also potentially coming to the UK in 2024 .RSV causes bronchiolitis and is a common cause for babies to get unwell in the first months of life. We explore the BRAND NEW and different and RSV Protection Pathways:The Prenatal Vaccine vs. Newborn Antibody Strategies. We discuss the evidence, the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines and other strategies (monoclonal antibodies)

Exploring the Options:

• RSV Vaccine in Pregnancy: A newly licensed vaccine tailored to shield babies from RSV, administered during pregnancy.
• Palivizumab: A monoclonal antibody treatment given to infants and children at high risk for severe RSV disease. Unlike a vaccine, it's a passive immunisation, directly providing the antibody.
• Nirsevimab: Another monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention in infants, offering extended protection with less frequent injections compared to Palivizumab, available for all infants, regardless of risk.

Featuring Expert Insights from Professor Paul Heath.

Episode References 

The clinical trial which showed the effectiveness and safety of the RSV vaccine in pregnancy.
Kampmann, Beate et al. “Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 388,16 (2023): 1451-1464. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa221648

The new neonatal antibody treatment: Drysdale, Simon B et al. “Nirsevimab for Prevention of Hospitalizations Due to RSV in Infants.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 389,26 (2023): 2425-2435. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2309189

Medscape article talking about the different brands of vaccines against RSV and their trial data. The reason for the timing of the vaccine given in the last trimester to reduce the risk of prematurity https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/risk-preterm-birth-stops-maternal-rsv-vaccine-trial-2024a10004rk?form=fpf



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