CDC panel advises Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination for elders

The newly authorized respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations should be given to persons aged 60 to 64 and 65 and older, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory panel. Regarding usage in the two age categories, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practises (ACIP) had separate votes. A single dosage of the vaccine may be given to persons 65 and older with shared clinical decision-making, according to the first vote, which was approved 9 to 5.

Using shared clinical decision making, they said that individual persons ages 60 to 64 may get a single dose of the RSV vaccination in the second ballot, which passed with 13 yes votes and 1 abstention. According to the CDC, 60,000 to 160,000 older persons are admitted to hospitals with RSV infections each year, and the virus is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 fatalities. The elderly, those with ongoing heart and lung conditions, and those with compromised immune systems are at the largest risk for developing serious illness.

Two RSV vaccinations were given the go-ahead by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May for use in people 60 years of age and older. On May 3, it authorised GSK's Arexvy vaccine, a recombinant glycoprotein vaccination that includes the business's own AS01 adjuvant. And in late May, it authorised Pfizer's Abrysvo RSV vaccine, a bivalent recombinant subunit vaccination without adjuvants that comprises antigens against RSV subgroups A and B. Both vaccinations are administered intramuscularly in a single dosage and each one contains 120 micrograms of antigen.

In a recent phase 3 study, GSK discovered that the vaccine had an overall effectiveness of 82.6% against lower respiratory tract illness during the first season, 77.3% for mid-season, and 67.2% across two seasons. Efficacy against serious illness ranged from 94.1% in the first season to 84.6% at midseason to 78.8% across two seasons. A cumulative efficacy of 67.1% was discovered in the trial's analysis of efficacy over two seasons among participants who got a second dose, providing some evidence that revaccination after 12 months does not confer further benefits on the general public.

It's feasible that they may be provided in the autumn, along with the most recent COVID vaccination and the yearly flu shot, but it's unclear how the new RSV vaccines would be timed.

The best time for the RSV vaccination is unclear due to the diversity in the start of the RSV season, according to CDC experts during a presentation on the clinical considerations for the vaccine. They advised clinicians to start giving the vaccination to eligible people as soon as supplies are available and to be ready to do so for the duration of the season. Pfizer and GSK are anticipating vaccine costs of $180 to $270 and $200 to $290, respectively.

Reference:

GSK shares positive data for AREXVY, its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) older adult vaccine, indicating protection over two RSV seasons. (2023, June 21). Gsk.com. https://us.gsk.com/en-us/media/press-releases/gsk-shares-positive-data-for-arexvy-its-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-older-adult-vaccine-indicating-protection-over-two-rsv-seasons/