The European Commission has approved the first RSV vaccine “Arexvy” for persons aged 60 and older manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. The approval comes shortly after the United States approved the medicine, last month.

The vaccine results from decades of research into how to protect susceptible people from the prevalent sickness.

RSV often causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can be dangerous for young children, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and people with underlying medical issues. In extreme situations, it can result in pneumonia and bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the tiny airways deep inside the lungs.

Analysts have predicted that the market for this newly launched vaccine might be worth more than $10 billion in the following ten years. Pfizer and Moderna are two more manufacturers expected to release similar products shortly.

Arexvys clearance was recommended by the drug watchdog for the European Union in April, following a trial with 25,000 participants across 17 nations. The European Medicines Agency reported that the vaccination provided 83 percent protection against RSV-related illnesses in persons 60 or older, with typically few adverse effects.

The vaccine uses a synthetic protein and an adjuvant material to encourage antibodies and T cells that aid in warding off RSV infection.

By the end of the year, Moderna hopes to have received approval for and access to their RSV vaccine. Previously, the European Union approved an RSV preventative medicine in 2022 developed by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

(Source:https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-06-eu-vaccine-common-respiratory-virus.html)