EU approves the bloc's first vaccine for RSV

EPA-EFE/TERESA SUAREZ

The European Commission authorized on Wednesday the use of the bloc's first vaccine for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which causes about 250,000 hospitalizations and 17,000 in-hospital deaths every year in people aged over 65.

The approval comes after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light for the Arexvy vaccine developed by the British pharmaceutical group GSK in late April. The first launches of the shot across EU member states are expected later this year, GSK confirmed.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved an RSV vaccine last week, authorizing the use of the Abrysvo shot developed by pharma giant Pfizer.

Baha Breaking News (BBN) / ND