Global experts convene at Pfizer Summit to advance Maternal RSV Immunization in MERA Region

EGYPT – Over 80 leading healthcare experts from around the world gathered at the Pfizer MERA Maternal Immunization Summit: Born Ready, held from May 16-17, 2025, in Cairo.

The summit, themed ‘RISE: Respiratory Immunization Summit for Excellence,’ focused on the urgent issue of neonatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the vital role maternal vaccination plays in protecting newborns.

The event aimed to raise awareness about RSV, a seasonal virus that is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization, RSV is responsible for an estimated 33 million infections, over three million hospitalizations, and nearly 60,000 deaths each year among children under five.

In the Middle East and North Africa, RSV remains the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children, with cases peaking in winter or during the rainy season in humid regions.

During the summit, experts discussed the challenges and barriers to adopting maternal immunization, shared best practices, and explored practical ways to encourage healthcare providers to implement these programs more effectively.

Professor Irene Cetin, a leading obstetrician from the University of Milan, explained that maternal immunization takes advantage of the natural transfer of antibodies from mother to baby during pregnancy.

This process, which begins in the second trimester and peaks in the third, helps protect infants during their most vulnerable first months of life—before they are old enough to receive their own vaccines.

Adding to this, Professor Mohamed Momtaz from Cairo University highlighted that, due to the way the placenta works, the concentration of protective antibodies in a newborn is often even higher than in the mother herself.

This means that babies can be better shielded from dangerous infections like RSV right from birth.

 He also emphasized that summits like this one foster important, evidence-based conversations between healthcare providers and expectant mothers, helping to overcome vaccine hesitancy and improve communication.

Professor Hossam Al Tatari from the UAE pointed out that RSV is extremely common, affecting almost all children by the age of two.

 While older children and adults usually experience mild, cold-like symptoms, RSV can be life-threatening for newborns—especially those under six months or with weakened immune systems.

He stressed the urgent need to explore every possible way to reduce the risks associated with RSV, particularly for the most vulnerable infants.

Dr. Hammam Haridy of Pfizer MERA noted that, although RSV poses a significant threat, it is preventable through vaccination.

However, consistent data on RSV’s impact across the Middle East and North Africa is still lacking, making forums like this summit essential for raising awareness and encouraging healthcare providers to take action.

Both the World Health Organization and its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommend countries adopt measures to prevent severe RSV in infants, whether through maternal vaccination or monoclonal antibodies, depending on local needs and resources.

Professor Merih Cetinkaya from Turkey underscored the need for collaboration between the medical community and vaccine developers.

She highlighted that communicable diseases like RSV have a major impact on newborn health and healthcare systems, and that vaccines are crucial in reducing this burden.

She also called for greater understanding, innovation, and equitable access to vaccines, especially for the most at-risk populations.

Throughout the summit, Pfizer reaffirmed its commitment to improving public health through vaccines.

 The company’s ongoing research and development efforts aim to provide new solutions that protect millions of lives worldwide, including in the MERA region.

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