A healthcare professional in Los Angeles prepares a flu vaccine shot for a local resident.
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A committee advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that adults aged 60 and above consult their doctors and receive a single dose of RSV vaccines from Pfizer and GSK.
The panel suggests the use of “shared clinical decision-making,” wherein seniors work with their healthcare providers to assess the potential benefits of getting vaccinated.
The final decision lies with outgoing CDC director Rochelle Walensky.
This recommendation brings the US closer to making RSV vaccination available to the public in the fall, when the disease typically becomes more prevalent.
It comes shortly after FDA approval of both vaccines, making them the world’s first authorized RSV shots.
RSV is a common respiratory infection that leads to mild symptoms in most cases, but can cause severe illness in older adults and children.
According to the CDC, RSV is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths among seniors and a few hundred deaths among children under 5 annually.
Both Pfizer and GSK presented new clinical trial data, demonstrating the effectiveness of their vaccines over multiple RSV seasons.
Pfizer’s shot was shown to be 78.6% effective in preventing severe respiratory disease after two RSV seasons in older adults.
GSK reported that their shot had an efficacy rate of 78.8% against severe RSV disease after two seasons.
Dr. Michael Melgar, a CDC medical officer, noted the lack of efficacy data for high-risk subgroups among the elderly population, such as those aged 75 and older and those with underlying medical conditions.
Both Pfizer and GSK are currently conducting studies on these populations.
The pricing for the vaccines has not been confirmed, but GSK has estimated a price range of $200 to $295, while Pfizer’s shot is expected to cost between $180 and $270.
Last year, the US experienced an unusually severe RSV season, leading to overwhelmed hospitals in children and older adults.
This was largely attributed to the relaxation of COVID-19 health measures.
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