The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday approved Pfizer's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for adults 60 and older. The approval comes less than a month after the FDA approved a similar shot by rival GSK.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages. However, it is especially dangerous for infants and young children, as well as older adults and people with underlying health conditions. In the United States, RSV is estimated to cause an estimated 100,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths each year.
Pfizer's vaccine, to be sold under the brand name Abrysvo, was 67% effective in preventing moderate to severe RSV illness in clinical trials. It was also 85.7% effective in preventing severe RSV illness.
The FDA approval of Abrysvo and Arexvy, the GSK vaccine, is a major step forward in the fight against RSV. These vaccines offer a much-needed new tool to help protect vulnerable populations from this serious virus.
Analysis
The approval of Pfizer's RSV vaccine is a significant development in the fight against this common and potentially deadly virus. RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and young children, and it can also cause serious illness in older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
The vaccine is not 100% effective, but it is still a valuable tool for preventing RSV infection and its serious complications. In clinical trials, Abrysvo was 67% effective in preventing moderate to severe RSV illness, and it was 85.7% effective in preventing severe RSV illness.
The vaccine is expected to be available in the fall, just before the peak RSV season. It will be available by prescription, and it is likely to be covered by most insurance plans.
The approval of Abrysvo is a major step forward in the fight against RSV. However, it is important to remember that the vaccine is not a cure. It is still important to take steps to prevent RSV infection, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
The approval of Abrysvo and Arexvy is a major development in the fight against RSV. These vaccines offer a much-needed new tool to help protect vulnerable populations from this serious virus. With these vaccines, we can hope to reduce the number of RSV-related hospitalizations and deaths each year.