FDA approves first-ever vaccine for RSV virus which kills 10,000 Americans every year

The first-ever vaccine against the common winter bug Respiratory Syncytial Virus has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Arexvy was more than 84 percent effective in preventing lung infections in clinical trials and 94 percent effective against serious disease.

It works by exposing the immune system to proteins from the surface of the virus, triggering the production of antibodies.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) kills about 10,000 American adults each year and can also cause serious illness in young children. Scientists have struggled for decades to develop a vaccine against it amid multiple failed trials.

The FDA today gave the green light to administer the vaccine to adults age 60 and older.

It must now be recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before it can become available to the public.

It was not clear whether approval would be extended to children, but other RSV vaccines are in development for this age group. A copy being made by Pfizer is expected to be approved later this year.

Developed by British pharmaceutical giant GSK, Arexvy is administered as a single dose to patients to provide protection.

Side effects of the injection included pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and joint stiffness.

Announcing the drug’s approval, Dr. Peter Marks, a director of the FDA, said this was a “major public health achievement.”

“Older adults, especially those with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system, are at greater risk for serious illness caused by RSV.

“Today’s approval of the first RSV vaccine is a major public health achievement to prevent a disease that can be life-threatening and reflects the FDA’s continued commitment to the development of safe and effective vaccines for use in the United States.” States to facilitate.’