New RSV Vaccines Approved for Adults Over 60 in UK and Australia

The vaccines show over 80% effectiveness, but there are currently no plans to vaccinate infants despite the high risk of RSV in this age group.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major health concern for both infants and the elderly, causing severe respiratory illness and leading to hospitalizations and deaths.
Two new vaccines for RSV, Arexvy by GSK and Abrysvo by Pfizer, have been approved for use in adults over 60 in the UK and Australia, showing over 80% effectiveness in preventing severe RSV-related illness.
The UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended that all over-75s receive one of the new RSV vaccines as part of a national campaign.
Despite the high risk of RSV in infants, there are currently no plans to make the RSV vaccines available to babies or young children in the UK, but scientists predict that this could happen in the coming years.
Pharmadoctor launched the UK’s first private RSV vaccination service last October, making it available to 12,000 community pharmacists across the country.