The EU Commission has approved a first vaccine for the elderly against a common respiratory tract pathogen. Specifically, it is about the “Arexvy” vaccine, the commission announced today. The substance protects against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine is now approved in the EU for adults over 60.
The vaccine is expected to prevent some of the problems experienced last winter, said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms.
Most people recover within a week or two, according to the commission. “But RSV can be serious in people at risk, including the elderly and people with lung or heart disease and diabetes,” he said.
In Europe, RSV causes about 250,000 hospitalizations and 17,000 hospital deaths in people aged 65 and over each year. RSV, which is also dangerous for children, also crippled the healthcare system in Austria last winter – in addition to the corona virus and the flu.