The First RSV Vaccine for Older Adults
For the very first time in history, a licensed vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection has become available. RSV infection is a significant cause of morbidity not only among infants and children, but also among older adults.
The AReSVi-006 trial showed 82.6% efficacy among adults 60 years of age or older against Respiratory Syncytial Virus related lower respiratory tract disease, for the AS01-adjuvanted RSV prefusion F protein-based candidate vaccine. This phase III trial paved the way for the recombinant vaccine Arexvy to its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2023 as well as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom. It has also been approved in various member states of the European Union and is under regulatory reviews in Japan and several other countries.(Ref)
In the flu season, it is not uncommon to detect RSV in the multiplex PCR tests done for patients who suffer from respiratory illnesses. In a previous study conducted at AIIMS New Delhi, we tried to find out the incidence and disease burden of RSV infection among adults who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, so that a decision for treatment and prevention measures could be made by weighing the cost and benefits of such interventions (the full article can be read by clicking here). Country-wide data on the incidence of RSV infection among older adults can provide better clarity on the cost versus benefit of using RSV vaccine on a wider scale in India.