FDA Approves Pfizer's RSV Vaccine Abrysvo for High-Risk Adults, CDC Recommends Pneumococcal Vaccines for 50+

Oct 24, 2024, 05:43 AM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pfizer's vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for adults aged 18 to 59 who are at increased risk of the disease. The approval, granted on October 23, 2024, includes the vaccine Abrysvo, which has shown to be 80% effective at preventing hospitalization due to complications from RSV. This broader label for Abrysvo gives Pfizer an edge over rival shots from GSK and Moderna. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended expanding the use of pneumococcal vaccines to adults aged 50 and older, lowering the previous age recommendation from 65. This recommendation includes Pfizer's PREVNAR 20 and Merck's CAPVAXIVE, and aims to protect against pneumonia and other serious illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria.