Oct 1 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization on

Tuesday recommended maternal vaccination and the use of an

antibody therapy to prevent respiratory synctial virus (RSV) in

infants.

The recommendations, to administer both the shot and the

antibody or either, come after the WHO's strategic advisory

group on immunization met last week.

For countries that decide to use a maternal vaccine, WHO

said it recommends a single shot in the third trimester of

pregnancy.

Drugmaker Pfizer's shot is approved in the United

States for use in women during the middle of the third trimester

of pregnancy to protect their babies.

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved

Sanofi and AstraZeneca's ( AZN ) antibody therapy,

Beyfortus, to prevent RSV in infants and toddlers.

The manufacturers received approval for an additional

manufacturing line in September for the therapy, as its supply

was limited.

WHO's strategic advisory group also noted the concerns

around supply as well as the high cost of the antibody therapy,

which it said could seriously limit global access and equity for

the treatment.

RSV typically causes cold-like symptoms, but is also a

leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and older adults.