American pharmaceutical company "Pfizer" announced that its vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus "RSV", which spreads among children, is highly effective.

British newspaper "Daily Mail" said that the new vaccine gives hope to doctors and parents alike, especially since it is the first of its kind.

"Pfizer" stated that the new dose of the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe illness, requiring hospitalization, among infants up to 6 months old.

This vaccine is given to pregnant women, especially in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, allowing it to reach the fetuses through the placenta.

The phase three trial included 7,400 pregnant women from 18 countries around the world, who received a dose of the vaccine or a placebo.

Clinical test results showed that the vaccine is up to 82 percent effective in protecting infants from severe infections caused by "RSV" in the first 90 days of their lives.

After 6 months, the vaccine was 69 percent effective in combating the respiratory syncytial virus.

Pfizer expects the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve this vaccine by the end of 2022.

If the vaccine is approved, it will:

Be the first dedicated to combating the viral disease that kills 100,000 children annually, especially in poor countries.

The vaccine also represents a lifeline for hospitals currently struggling to face the significant increase in cases of this virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus causes infections in the lungs and respiratory tract, and it is so common that most children contract it before they turn two years old, and this virus also affects adults, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

Symptoms of this virus include:

Headache.

Mild fever.

Sore throat.

Runny or congested nose.

However, in severe cases affecting the lungs or bronchi, symptoms can include difficulty breathing, severe coughing, and lethargy.

Health advice directed to parents before the invention of the vaccine focused on the importance of:

Breastfeeding.

Avoiding taking young children to crowded places or visiting sick people.

Consistently washing hands.