The United States has approved the world’s first vaccine against the so-called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). British pharmaceutical giant GSK’s Arexvy vaccine to protect against respiratory illness has been approved for adults over 60, the US Food and Drug Administration announced on Wednesday. The authority spoke of an important achievement “to prevent a disease that can be life-threatening”.
RSV is a global pathogen that can cause serious respiratory disease. An infection can be especially dangerous for the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, as well as for newborns and infants.
Last winter, more newborns and infants than usual had to be treated in hospitals for acute respiratory illness. Experts suspect a catch-up effect after the corona pandemic, in which relatively few children came into contact with RSV. So far, the disease can only be treated symptomatically.
GSK’s vaccine is expected to be approved in the European Union soon. The pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna are also hoping for approval for the vaccines they have developed against RSV. (sda/afp)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
