Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine - An important Public Health intervention

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved AREXVY (respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, adjuvanted) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 60 years of age and older. This is the first RSV vaccine for older adults to be approved anywhere in the world. RSV is a common, contagious virus that can lead to potentially serious respiratory illness. It causes approximately 177,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 14,000 deaths in the US in adults aged 65 years and older each year.  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is expected to make recommendations in June 2023 on the appropriate use of the vaccine in the US. The vaccine will be available for older adults before the 2023/24 RSV season, which typically starts ahead of the winter months.  (Posted May 18, 2023)

 

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