Pfizer’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, Abrysvo, recently received FDA approval for use in adults aged 18 to 59 who are at increased risk for severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease. This expanded approval opens up new protection options for individuals with conditions like chronic lung or heart disease, obesity, and immune compromise, which elevate their risk of severe RSV illness.
This update builds on Abrysvo’s prior approval for adults over 60 and for maternal use in pregnant individuals to protect newborns. For patients under 60 with health vulnerabilities, Abrysvo aims to prevent the progression of RSV from a common infection to a life-threatening condition. The approval relied on results from Pfizer’s Phase 3 MONeT trial, which demonstrated Abrysvo’s effectiveness in generating a robust immune response in younger adults with chronic health conditions. With RSV causing thousands of hospitalizations annually, this expansion helps address a critical need for preventive measures across a wider population.
Implications for Public Health
The broadened approval of Abrysvo reinforces the role of RSV vaccines in public health, particularly as cases of RSV continue to strain healthcare systems. With this recent FDA decision, Abrysvo now stands as a comprehensive RSV vaccine across age groups, addressing both direct and maternal protection needs.
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