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Table 4 Characteristics of vaccines and mAbs against RSV in the Italian epidemiological context [5, 6, 15,16,17, 30, 31, 45]

From: Epidemiology and prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infections in children in Italy

Type

Target population and main characteristics

Maternal vaccines

Vaccination of pregnant women to protect neonates through transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies

Protection of the neonate from birth

Duration equivalent to the life of maternal antibodies (i.e., 2–4 months)

Can immunize only infants born just before and during RSV epidemic season, and that have been born at term

mAbs with extended half-life

Neonates and infants

Immediate onset of protection

Duration of up to 5 months, throughout the RSV season

Can immunize all children, at birth if born during the RSV season and by appointment if born before the season

Pediatric vaccines

Children, early infancy

No protection during the first months of life

Durable protection (years) throughout childhood

  1. mAb monoclonal antibody, RSV respiratory syncytial virus