Pfizer Announces a Breakthrough in a New Lifesaving RSV Vaccine

9Spring months. It usually brings mild, cold-like symptoms. However, for infants, toddlers, and the elderly, this virus can be deadly.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that "each year in the United States, RSV leads to on average approximately 58,000 hospitalizations with 100-500 deaths among children younger than 5 years old and 177,000 hospitalizations with 14,000 deaths among adults aged 65 years or older."

These are extremely startling statistics. Ones that Pfizer hopes to change very soon. Last week, they announced the results of the third phase of their clinical trial that is testing a new RSV vaccine and the results are spectacular!

This double-blind, randomized study has shown an 85.7% efficacy in preventing severe illness in adults ages 60 years and older. What this means is that this vaccine has the potential to effectively block the virus and prevent severe illness and the need for hospitalization in a major part of the population. With this breakthrough, they intend to apply for FDA approval in the near future.

Until Better Protections Are In Place, Don't Kiss The Baby

Parents may have to wait a bit longer for a vaccine that will protect their kids, but this immunization could still help to diminish the spread of this virus, in turn, protecting children to a certain degree. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that this virus spreads through bodily fluids -- specifically saliva.

This is one of the main reasons why new parents want friends and relatives to refrain from kissing their babies. Health experts note that "what might 'just be allergies' for an adult can make babies sick enough to be in the ICU. So, please. If you don’t live in the same house as the baby, don’t kiss them."

This may seem harsh, but if you love the little one enough to kiss them, then love them enough to abstain. The possible repercussion is not worth this sweet gesture.