A study from Dallas, Texas reveals maternal RSV vaccination may prevent infant hospitalization, but uptake was highly uneven during the 2023-2024 season.
Of 656 women surveyed, only 27% received the vaccine at the right time. Non-Hispanic White women had the highest uptake at 39%, compared to 15% of Hispanic women and just 6% of non-Hispanic Black women.
Insurance was a major factor: 37% of women with private insurance were vaccinated, versus only 2% with public insurance.
Clinically, nearly 3% of infants born to unvaccinated mothers were hospitalized for RSV, while no infants of vaccinated mothers needed hospital care. Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was estimated at 100%.
The findings underscore the need for more equitable access to maternal RSV vaccination.