What is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine?

From the Guidelines

The RSV vaccine is recommended for adults aged ≥60 years, particularly those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems, to prevent severe respiratory illness, as supported by recent guidelines from the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology and other medical societies 1. The RSV vaccine is a crucial preventive measure against respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in high-risk populations.

• The vaccine is recommended for adults aged ≥60 years, with a particular emphasis on those with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic liver disease 1.
• Additionally, individuals with compromised immune systems, including those with immunocompromising conditions, frailty, or residence in a nursing home, should also receive the vaccine 1.
• The vaccine can be administered concurrently with the influenza vaccine and should preferably be given between September and November 1.
• Two RSV vaccines are currently available: Arexvy (GSK) and Abrysvo (Pfizer), which have proven efficacy, effectiveness, and safety in adults aged ≥60 years, including those with comorbidities and those of more advanced age 1.
• The vaccines work by targeting the RSV F protein, stimulating antibody production that prevents infection, and have been shown to be effective in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in adults aged ≥60 years 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

SYNAGIS is a prescription medication that is used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in children: born prematurely (at or before 35 weeks) and who are 6 months of age or less at the beginning of RSV season, who have a chronic lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), that needed medical treatment within the last 6 months, and who are 24 months of age or less at the beginning of RSV season, born with certain types of heart disease and who are 24 months of age or less at the beginning of RSV season. SYNAGIS contains man-made, disease-fighting proteins called antibodies.

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is not a vaccine, but rather a monoclonal antibody called palivizumab, which is used to help prevent serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in pediatric patients 2.

• It is used to prevent RSV disease in children who are at high risk, including those born prematurely, with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or with certain types of heart disease.
• Key characteristics of palivizumab include:
  • It is a man-made, disease-fighting protein called an antibody.
  • It is given as a monthly injection during the RSV season.
  • It helps protect children from severe RSV disease for about 1 month.

From the Research

Overview of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine

• The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is a preventative measure against RSV infection, which can cause severe bronchiolitis or pneumonia in high-risk individuals, such as premature infants, older adults, and those with underlying cardiopulmonary disorders 3, 4.
• There are several types of RSV vaccines and immunoprophylaxis products, including RSV i.v. immune globulin, palivizumab, and novel vaccines directed against the prefusion protein, such as Arexvy and Abrysvo 3, 4, 5.

Types of RSV Vaccines

• Arexvy is an adjuvanted monovalent vaccine approved for use in older adults, which has been shown to be over 80% effective in protecting against symptomatic RSV infections and associated lower respiratory tract diseases 4.
• Abrysvo is a nonadjuvanted bivalent vaccine approved for use in older adults and pregnant women, which has been shown to be over 80% effective in protecting against severe RSV-associated lower respiratory disease in infants during the first 3 months of life 4.
• Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the RSV F protein, which is administered intramuscularly every month during the RSV season, and has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization attributable to RSV infections in high-risk pediatric patients 6, 5, 7.

Efficacy and Safety of RSV Vaccines

• The new RSV vaccines, such as Arexvy and Abrysvo, have been shown to be efficacious and safe in both adults and pregnant women, with a low rate of undesired side effects and rare severe side effects 4.
• Palivizumab has been shown to provide benefit for infants who were 32 to 35 weeks of gestation at birth, and has an excellent safety profile in immunocompromised patients 5, 7.
• The clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the RSV vaccines in preventing RSV-associated disease and complications in high-risk groups, including infants, older adults, and immunocompromised patients 3, 4, 6, 5, 7.