RSV

Abrysvo: Effective bprotection mfrom RSV 

Abrysvo is a vaccine that specifically protects against lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

What is RSV:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that primarily affects the respiratory tract and is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. RSV can be serious for infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

RS virus can cause: 

1. Upper respiratory infections: RSV can cause mild to moderate infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as colds, runny nose, coughing and sneezing. These symptoms are often similar to those associated with other viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infections. 
2. Lower respiratory infections: In more severe cases, RSV can cause lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia. This is of particular concern in infants, where RSV infections of the lower respiratory tract can lead to significant breathing problems.  

Risk groups: Infants, especially premature babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems and lung disease are more likely to develop severe symptoms and complications from RSV infection. 

Seasonal occurrence: RSV infections occur seasonally and are more common in winter and spring. 

Briefly about the effect of the vaccine 

The vaccine contains proteins from the surface of the RS virus and when a person is vaccinated with Abrysvo the immune system recognizes these viral proteins as "foreign" and creates a defense against them. If the vaccinated person is later exposed to the virus, the immune system will respond quickly and effectively to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. 

Data on Abrysvo's effect 

Results from a large study of over 34,000 adults aged 60 years or older show that Abrysvo reduced the risk of developing lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV with 67% compared to those who received an inactive placebo. Additional evidence from a separate study in pregnant women confirms that Abrysvo reduced the risk of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease with 51% in infants born to vaccinated mothers. 

Abrysvo demonstrates its effectiveness both in adults over 60 years of age and in infants born to vaccinated mothers for at least the first 6 months of life. The vaccine presents no significant safety concerns, and most side effects are mild or moderate. After a thorough assessment, the European Medicines Agency has approved the vaccine for use in the EU. 

The target group for waccination 

Abrysvo is recommended for people aged 60 and older. 

In addition, the vaccine is approved for use in pregnant women in pregnancy week 24 to 36, with the aim of transferring passive protection against RSV to infants from birth. Protection is seen in infants for at least 6 months after birth if the mother has been vaccinated during pregnancy. The vaccination can be administered at the same time as vaccination against influenza, but with different injection sites.  

Note: There must be a minimum interval of two weeks between the administration of Abrysvo and vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (diTeKi).