Health | Health: a vaccine against bronchiolitis approved by the European regulator

2023-07-21 21:30:34

The European regulator authorized this Friday a first vaccine intended to protect both infants and people aged 60 and over against the RSV respiratory virus, known above all for the scourge of bronchiolitis it causes each winter.

“Abrysvo is the first RSV vaccine indicated for passive immunization of infants from birth to 6 months after vaccine administration to the mother during pregnancy“said the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Pfizer’s vaccine “is also indicated for the active immunization of adults aged 60 years and over“, added the EMA in a press release.

After the flu and Covid-19, the major laboratories are in working order to launch RSV vaccines in the fall, before the epidemic period. The Arexvy from the British laboratory GSK has been available in the United States since May and in the European Union since June for people over 60.

Pfizer had already received the green light from the US Medicines Agency last month for its Abrysvo vaccine, but it is reserved for the elderly.

Abrysvo has been assessed under the EMA’s fast-track review mechanism, as prevention of RSV infections is considered”as being of major public health interest“. “RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms., explained the EMA. “But it can have serious consequences for children and the elderly“and is even”one of the leading causes of pediatric hospitalization in Europe“, added the regulator.

The European Commission must decide on its authorization

The opinion will now be sent to the European Commission which must decide on its marketing authorization within the EU. “If approved, our RSV vaccine candidate for pregnant women could help protect infants immediately from birth up to six months of age“said Dr. Annaliesa Anderson, Scientific Director, Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development.”This, together with approval for the elderly, would mark a significant public health advance for the prevention of RSV disease across Europe.“, she added, quoted in a press release.

At the end of 2022, the European Union also approved a preventive treatment for bronchiolitis developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Sanofi. Intended for infants, nirsevimab is not strictly speaking a vaccine but works with the same preventive intention.