The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will offer countries in North, Central and South America doses of the RSV vaccine at an affordable prices, the agency announced. The vaccines, which help prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, are much needed in the region where 13 million children could benefit from the preventive medication. The vaccine is designed to be administered to women (between their 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy), who pass on their protective antibodies to the baby in the womb. The vaccines will be made available by PAHO in 2025 to countries that request access.
Globally, RSV kills 100,000-200,000 children under 5 years old each year. The virus is the number two cause of death for babies younger than 12 months old. Low- and middle-income countries suffer a greater share of burden from RSV, experiencing higher death rates than higher countries.
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