After 60 Years of Work, World’s First RSV Vaccine Approved by US FDA

The vaccine, Arexvy, made by GSK is designed to be given as a single shot to adults 60 and older.

On Wednesday, 3 May, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the world's first vaccine to prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a respiratory ailment that can turn serious in infants and the elderly.

Key points to note: The vaccine, Arexvy was developed by UK-based pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, and has been approved for adults over the age of 60 as a single-dose vaccine.

The large study involved 25,000 participants.

The vaccine was found to be,

• 94 percent effective at lowering the risk of severe illness

• 83 percent effective at reducing symptomatic infection