2023-07-21 16:52:57
Health:
Every year, more than 100,000 children worldwide die after being infected with RSV. — © epa-efe
Abrysvo protects babies and the elderly against RSV, a virus that can be dangerous for them. Now only the European Commission has to give its blessing and the vaccine can come on the market.
In most cases, an infection with RSV is harmless and an infection feels like a cold. But for small children, an infection can lead to serious breathing problems and even death. In fact, RSV is the main reason why children are hospitalized in Europe. An RSV infection can also be serious for the elderly. Soon there will be a vaccine that protects infants and the elderly. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends that Abrysvo, the very first vaccine against RSV, be allowed in the EU. It is now up to the European Commission, but normally it follows the advice of the EMA.
Experts such as vaccinologist Johan Neyts (KU Leuven) were very enthusiastic about the vaccine earlier this year and spoke of a ‘major breakthrough’. The EMA rushed its assessment of the vaccine because RSV is a major public health problem. After malaria, RSV is the leading cause of death among infants worldwide. Each year, more than 100,000 children die from an RSV infection.
A large study investigated whether infants can be protected against it by vaccinating mothers during pregnancy (between gestational weeks 24 and 36). And indeed, the antibodies against RSV that the women produce after the vaccination passed to the child via the placenta. The babies of vaccinated mothers had an 82 percent lower risk of serious RSV infection in the first three months of life. Even after six months there was still a clear effect (69 percent fewer serious infections). However, the EMA is cautious and states that the vaccine offers protection ‘up to six months’ after birth.
Another study with tens of thousands of people over the age of 60 showed that this group is also well protected after vaccination.
No serious side effects:
The vaccine has no serious side effects, but can cause pain at the injection site, headache, and muscle pain in pregnant women. The elderly suffered most from pain at the place where the vaccine was put.
It is still unclear when it will be effectively deployed in Europe. The question of whether it will be reimbursed (and if so, for which groups) has yet to be clarified. Incidentally, Europe has nothing to say about the latter, but the member states (in their own country, the federated states) decide for themselves.]
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