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Pfizer today announced the signing of an agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to supply its vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). to member states, which includes Colombia.
Distribution and access to the vaccine will be facilitated, through the PAHO Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccinesa program with more than 40 years of experience, focused on guaranteeing access to safe, quality vaccines at affordable prices for PAHO member countries and territories throughout the region.
As part of PAHO’s technical cooperation, the Revolving Fund supports the equitable and sustainable reduction of vaccine-preventable diseases by consolidating demand, taking advantage of economies of scale, and promoting transparency and competition. This improves purchasing power, reduces costs and ensures the sustainability of national immunization programs.
RSV is a virus that causes serious illness in people. It represents a significant burden on global health systems, causing a high number of hospitalizations and deaths each year.
In Latin America, RSV is a leading cause of acute respiratory infections in children under two years of age, with hospitalization and mortality rates particularly high in infants under six months of age..
Research carried out in several Latin American countries has shown that this serious disease frequently occurs in infants with pre-existing health problems and requires intensive care. Besides, represents a significant burden in children with comorbidities. The incidence rate can vary from one country to another from 47.5 per thousand children per year as in Argentina; and 52.2 per thousand children per year in Panama.
“Ensuring equitable access to this preventive measure is a public health priority. “We are committed to working with governments and multilateral organizations such as PAHO to integrate RSV vaccination as part of their prevention programs.”said Sinan Atlig, Regional President of Pfizer for Latin America.
It is worth remembering that RSV poses a serious threat to older adults, often causing respiratory infections such as pneumonia; and causes higher hospitalization rates in some countries.
This condition often presents with cold-like symptoms, highlighting the need to increase awareness of the contagious nature of the virus and its potential for serious health consequences.
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