The most common congenital viral infection in children is cytomegalovirus infection (CMV). Oftentimes the mother will experience little to no symptoms, but the virus can significantly affect the newborn, with outcomes ranging from no symptoms to severe systemic and intercranial complications. What if we could prevent this infection all together with a vaccine? A candidate MRNA vaccine against CMV has elicited promising immune responses to date and is on a pathway towards FDA approval.

To learn more about this treatment, we are joined by one of the nation’s leading experts in vaccine development for the prevention of congenital viral disease. Sallie Permar, MD, is the Nancy C. Paduano Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine. She serves as pediatrician-in-chief at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She is also a professor of immunology and microbial pathogenesis at the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences.

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• The scale of impact of congenital CMV in children 
• Understanding how the virus originates with the mother and affects the baby 
• Where the CMV vaccine stands in the vaccine development process  
• Strategies for educating the public and primary care providers on this new treatment   

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