The European Commission on Friday gave a ‘green light’ to the vaccine marketed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and administered to pregnant women to protect babies up to six months from the lower respiratory tract disease caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
In a statement, the community board says it has approved Abrysvo, the name Pfizer has given to the drug, “the first vaccine designed to protect older adults and infants up to six months old against lower respiratory tract disease caused by VSR.” “.
“This type of vaccine is especially important given the increase in RSV infections in the EU last winter. The vaccine, now authorized throughout the EU, will help strengthen the immune response to the virus,” argues Brussels.
The institution explains that the approval follows a rigorous evaluation within the framework of the accelerated evaluation mechanism of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is justified by the fact that the prevention of RSV infection in children is of “high importance for the public health”. ”, given the possible consequences of bronchiolitis.
Last July, the EMA announced that it had recommended the granting of an EU marketing authorization for Abrysvo, “the first RSV vaccine indicated for the passive immunization of infants from birth to six months of age , after administration of the vaccine to the mother during pregnancy.” .
This vaccine is also indicated for the active immunization of adults aged 60 years and older.
Quoted in Friday’s statement, European Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides points out that “before the next autumn and winter seasons, this vaccine could help prevent serious consequences from RSV for some of the most vulnerable citizens”.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering within one to two weeks.
However, RSV can be serious in vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with lung or heart disease and those with diabetes.
This Friday’s EU approval comes three days after the United States first authorized the vaccine intended to protect babies against bronchiolitis, which is also given to pregnant women.
The single intramuscular injection vaccine is approved for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks gestation, the U.S. Drug Agency said.
Babies are protected against RSV for the first six months of life.
Source: DN
