A new vaccine on the market. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) authorized this Friday a first vaccine for infants against the RSV respiratory virus, known above all for the scourge of bronchiolitis that it causes every winter.
Abrysvo, developed by the American Pfizer, is also recommended for people aged 60 and over, as is the Arexvy serum from the British laboratory GSK, the first to be authorized in the European Union.
Highly contagious, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis in its most severe forms, leading to thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations worldwide.
First vaccine for babies.
“Abrysvo is the first RSV vaccine indicated for the passive immunization of infants from birth to 6 months after the mother was given the vaccine during pregnancy,” the EMA said.
After the flu and Covid-19, the main laboratories are in a position to launch RSV vaccines in the fall, before the epidemic period.
The United States, for the first time in the world, approved the Arexvy vaccine from the British laboratory GSK in May. The serum has also been available in the European Union since June for people over 60 years of age.
One of the leading causes of pediatric hospitalization
Abrysvo has been assessed under the EMA’s accelerated review mechanism because the prevention of RSV infections is considered “of great public health interest”.
“RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms,” the EMA explained. “But it can have serious consequences for children and the elderly” and is even “one of the leading causes of pediatric hospitalization in Europe,” the regulator added.
The opinion will now be sent to the European Commission, which must decide on its marketing authorization within the EU, which is normally a formality.
Source: BFM TV
