The US Centres for Disease Control & Prevention has narrowed its recommendation for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines in older adults this year – prioritising those at higher risk – but held off on recommending them for under-60s.
The decision echoed that of its panel of outside advisers who voted to recommend that all people 75 and older, as well as those between 60 and 74, who have an increased risk of severe RSV because of medical conditions, receive the shots.
Last year, reports Reuters, GSK and Pfizer went head-to-head with rival RSV jabs for people over 60 who could get the vaccine after seeing a healthcare provider, and last month, Moderna received approval from the FDA for its shot RESVIA – for the same age group.
The new recommendation may cut the addressable American market for RSV shots in 2024-25 from 93m, including people under 60, to about 55m.
GSK received FDA approval earlier this month to expand use of its vaccine to patients aged 50 to 59 who were at increased risk from the illness, but the committee postponed endorsing its use in that age group, saying the balance of risk and benefits was more uncertain.
RSV is a leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and older people, causing 177 000 hospital admissions and 14 000 deaths in the US every year.
Moderna presented data at the meeting showing its RESVIA shot had 50% efficacy in preventing RSV for 18 months, lower than what GSK and Pfizer previously showed in their own clinical trials.
Moderna previously cautioned against comparing its vaccine’s efficacy to rivals’ products, noting that the trials were not head-to-head and used different case criteria for RSV disease.
In their clinical trials, GSK’s RSV vaccine Arexvy was 78% effective in preventing severe RSV over a second year and Pfizer’s Abrysvo was 78% effective through a second RSV season.
Reuters article – US CDC narrows age recommendation for RSV shots in US (Open access)
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