KUWAIT CITY — The Kuwait Ministry of Health has initiated the second phase of its Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention program, offering voluntary immunization to pregnant women with the aim of enhancing infant immunity during their initial months of life. The announcement was made on Thursday.

The program focuses on vaccinating expectant mothers between the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy. For newborns whose mothers did not receive the vaccine, the ministry provides antibodies as an alternative protective measure. This approach is designed to reduce the incidence and severity of RSV infections, which are known to cause significant respiratory illness in infants.

In conjunction with the program rollout, the Ministry’s Department of Public Health held a workshop to discuss the latest prevention strategies aligned with international guidelines. These sessions aimed to update healthcare professionals on effective RSV prevention techniques and ensure nationwide implementation adheres to best practices.

Dr. Hamad Bastaki, head of the infectious diseases section at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of preventive measures in diminishing the impact of RSV. He highlighted that immunization during pregnancy is a critical step toward reducing the healthcare burden associated with RSV-related complications in young children.

The initial phase of the program targeted public awareness and pilot immunization efforts, while the current stage expands access and aims to increase vaccination coverage among pregnant women. The Ministry of Health continues to monitor developments and adjust its strategies in response to evolving data on RSV epidemiology both regionally and globally.