FDA Approves Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine For Older Adults
On May 31, 2023, the US FDA approved Pfizer’s ABRYSVO Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine for adults 60 and older. RSV is a serious respiratory concern for older adults, resulting in tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths annually. The F protein is on the outside of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and allows it to attach (or fuse) to a target human cell. ABRYSVO targets this protein before it fuses to a cell (in its perfusion state), and is effective against both the A and B strains of RSV. Thus ABRYSVO is a bivalent (targeting 2 strains) prefusion F protein-based vaccine. The vaccine was also granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in February and is the only vaccine intended as both a protective (before infection) and a therapeutic (to stop infection and relieve symptoms). Nature Coast Clinical Research in Crystal River, Florida participated in clinical trials researching this vaccine. ABRYSVO was found to be safe and effective in older populations. Pfizer expects ABRYSVO to be available before fall 2023 and the start of RSV season.
Source: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/us-fda-approves-abrysvotm-pfizers-vaccine-prevention?linkId=217543918