The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has formally endorsed the use of the new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Pfizer for people ages 60 years and older. [A press release issued by the CDC on July 29th](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0629-rsv.html) has indicated that the CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H. reviewed the recommendation by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) and concluded that the RSV vaccines are safe and effective.
RSV is a virus that commonly causes respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia – and is especially serious in older adults, who often have weakened immune systems.
The information reviewed by the CDC regarding the efficacy of the vaccines indicated that the RSV vaccines provided strong protection of more than 80 percent effectiveness at preventing RSV infection and could significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization for RSV in older adults. Both RSV vaccines are administered in single doses, and the studies presented by the companies indicated that the vaccines could be safely administered alongside other common seasonal vaccines – like the influenza vaccine (flu shot.)
### When can the public expect availability of the RSV vaccines?
These vaccines have previously been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in older adults to prevent RSV infections – and with this new formal endorsement from the CDC, the RSV vaccines can now be distributed and administered to the public. The new vaccines are expected to be available as soon as this fall and are viewed as a great opportunity to help prevent serious outbreaks of RSV in older adults and reduce hospitalizations.
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