A panel of outside experts to the U.S. CDC has narrowed its recommendation for the use of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines in older adults this year, refraining from recommending their use for adults under 60 years old.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend RSV vaccinations for all adults aged 75 and older, as well as for those aged 60 to 74 who have an increased risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease due to medical conditions.
Last year, GSK and Pfizer competed with rival RSV vaccines for all adults aged 60 and over, who could receive the vaccine after consulting with a healthcare provider.
Last month, Moderna received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its RSV vaccine, mRESVIA, for the same age group.
Earlier this month, GSK received FDA approval to expand the use of its vaccine to adults aged 50 to 59 who are at increased risk from the illness. However, the ACIP postponed endorsing its use in that age group, as the committee's workgroup indicated that the balance of risks and benefits for the shot in that age group remains uncertain.
Although the CDC generally follows the recommendations of its advisers, the final decision rests with the agency's director.
RSV, which typically causes cold-like symptoms, is a leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and older adults, resulting in approximately 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths annually in the United States.