The European Commission has announced it has authorised the first vaccine to protect older adults and infants against the lower respiratory tract disease caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Commissioner for Health, Stella Kyriakides, said, underlining the importance of this new vaccine given that it the virus is a leading cause of hospitalisation for children in the EU.
'This is our first EU-authorised RSV vaccine that not only protects older adults but also infants, already from birth', Kyriakides said, noting that the vaccine can help preventing serious RSV consequences for vulnerable groups ahead of the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.
'This is especially important for our children for whom RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation in the EU' she pointed out, noting that the approval of the vaccine is part of the European Health Union delivering to its promise to tackle health threats with decisive action. 'I look forward to seeing Member States start making use of this first vaccine as part of their national vaccination campaigns' she added.
Abrysvo is the first vaccine to protect older adults and infants up to six months of age against RSV. This type of vaccines is particularly important bearing in mind the increased RSV infections in the EU last winter. The vaccine will help strengthen the immune response to the virus.
The authorisation follows a stringent evaluation under EMA's accelerated assessment mechanism. Considering that prevention of RSV infection in children is of major public health interest, the Commission accelerated the authorisation of the vaccine.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover within one to two weeks, but RSV can be serious when it infects vulnerable people, including older adults and those with lung or heart disease and diabetes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency