The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a vaccine against the respiratory disease respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which kills thousands of Americans each year.
Approval from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also required for the vaccine to be available to the public.
RSV is a respiratory illness that results in cold-like symptoms for adults. However, it can be dangerous for young children, the elderly, and those with other health conditions.
Authorities say the vaccine, produced by the pharmaceutical company GSK, called Arexvy, is a major breakthrough that will save many lives.
It is stated that the vaccine will be available for people over the age of 60 within months.
Director of the Center for Biological Evaluation and Research at the FDA, Dr. “The approval of the first RSV vaccine today is a major public health achievement to prevent a life-threatening disease,” said Peter Marks.
According to the CDC, an average of 100-300 children under the age of 5 die from this disease each year in the United States.
It also causes the deaths of approximately 6 thousand to 10 thousand adults over the age of 65 and between 60,000 and 120,000 hospitalizations annually.
In severe cases, it can lead to bronchiolitis (an inflammatory condition that can cause obstruction in the small airways of the lungs), which can cause inflammation in the lungs and trouble breathing.
The drug, which has been in development for more than 60 years, became the first drug in the world to be approved to prevent RSV.
In a study published by the UK-based GSK in February, it was seen that the vaccine was 82.6 percent effective.
It is stated that the side effects are mostly “mild or moderate” and pass within two days, while the most common side effects are pain and fatigue at the injection site.
Symptoms of RSV in children:
RSV starts with a stuffy or runny nose and can progress to a dry cough, fever, and sometimes breathing problems.
It is mild in most children and can be treated at home with infant paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If the child is not feeding normally, is breathing rapidly or has a fever, it is necessary to consult a doctor or seek medical help.
If the child is exhausted from trying to breathe, if the muscles under their ribs pull in with each breath, or if they are pale and sweaty, seek emergency care.