Long-term Protection Offered by GSK’s RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

– GlaxoSmithKline
announced today that their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for adults aged 60 and older has proven effective over two RSV seasons.

According to recent data from a phase three clinical trial, a single dose of the vaccine showed 67.2% efficacy in preventing lower respiratory tract illness over two RSV seasons. This is a slight decrease from the 82% efficacy observed after one viral season, which typically lasts from October to March in the northern hemisphere.

The vaccine also demonstrated 78.8% efficacy against severe RSV disease after two seasons, compared to 94% after one season. This is particularly significant, as severe disease refers to cases that hinder normal daily activities.

GlaxoSmithKline emphasized that the vaccine maintains high efficacy even in older adults with underlying conditions, who are at the highest risk of severe RSV infections.

In addition, GlaxoSmithKline evaluated the effectiveness of an annual vaccination schedule. The data suggests that administering a second dose of the vaccine after a year does not provide additional benefits for the overall population. Cumulatively, two doses showed 67.1% efficacy, indicating that revaccination after 12 months may not be necessary.

This finding could give GlaxoSmithKline a competitive advantage over RSV vaccine rivals such as Pfizer, while also simplifying the vaccination process for seniors.

RSV typically causes mild cold-like symptoms, but it can be dangerous for vulnerable populations. Every year, the virus leads to 6,000 to 10,000 deaths among seniors aged 65 and older, as well as a few hundred deaths in children younger than 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

GlaxoSmithKline presented these promising results to an advisory committee of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) today. This committee will formulate recommendations on the timing and frequency of GlaxoSmithKline’s RSV vaccine administration, as well as Pfizer’s competing vaccine, in the United States.

Just last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for GlaxoSmithKline’s RSV vaccine, making it the first authorized shot against RSV in the world. Shortly after, Pfizer’s vaccine also received approval. Both companies presented new clinical trial data for their vaccines today.

Pfizer’s vaccine demonstrated approximately 49% efficacy against lower respiratory tract illness with two or more symptoms after 18 months, showing a decline from the vaccine’s 66.7% efficacy at one year.

Currently, neither GlaxoSmithKline nor Pfizer have announced the list prices for their respective vaccines.