The US Centers for Disease Control has issued a report stating that 128 pregnant women and 25 infants received the wrong vaccine, and is urging healthcare workers to be more careful.
CDC reported The mistake involved two vaccines used to treat RSV, a serious respiratory virus. The vaccine was approved for distribution in May.
Neither vaccine works, Pfizer Abrisvo Made by Pfizer, and Aleksvi Manufactured by GSK, Alexby is listed as safe for treating children experiencing the disease, and Alexby is not approved for use in pregnant women. However, as of Jan. 17, both drugs had been administered to 128 pregnant women and 25 infants, according to the CDC, which noted that “these types of errors are uncommon.”
This news is about nirsevimab, Recommended vaccinations Infants less than 8 months old born during the RSV season or as a result of vaccination of a pregnant person; says the CDC.
The CDC says no serious side effects have been reported among people who received the unapproved vaccine.
FDA approves first RSV vaccine:Here’s what else is going on:
Estimated RSV burden
In this country, RSV begins to surface in early fall and steadily survives the winter until the disease subsides in early spring.
According to the data Compiled by CDCeach year in the United States:
- 2.1 million children under 5 years of age are being treated for RSV (outpatient)
- Between 58,000 and 80,000 children under 5 are hospitalized with RSV.
- Between 60,000 and 160,000 adults aged 65 and older are hospitalized with RSV.
- 6,000 to 10,000 adults over 65 die from RSV
- 100 to 300 children under 5 die from RSV
Symptoms of RSV
USA TODAY previously reported that infants under 6 months of age are particularly susceptible to RSV infection because their immune systems are still developing and their respiratory airways are narrow. Health experts interviewed said these infants are at higher risk of developing bronchiolitis and usually require respiratory assistance in the hospital.
CDC Symptoms of RSV tend to appear within four to six days after infection, and may include:
- snot
- cough
- sneeze
- heat
- wheezing
Medical experts say these symptoms usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks. In infants younger than 6 months, the only recognizable symptoms are increased irritability and lethargy, decreased appetite, and increased breathing.
Adrianna Rodriguez contributed to this article.
