Anvisa approves vaccine against bronchiolitis in the elderly – 12/04/2023 – Health

Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) approved this Monday (4) the first vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the country.

Produced by the company GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), the vaccine, called Arexvy, was approved in May in the United States by the FDA, the American agency that regulates drugs and foods, and is indicated for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease.

This is the first vaccine registered in Brazil against RSV, the main virus that causes bronchiolitis.

The vaccine has been approved for use in the population over 60 years of age. It is applied intramuscularly, in a single dose.

According to data from the company itself, the vaccine also proved to be effective in the 50 to 59 age group.

The vaccine uses recombinant protein technology, that is, a molecule that imitates the protein present on the surface of the virus is manufactured and used to stimulate the production of antibodies, responsible for immunity.

In addition to the vaccine, Anvisa approved, at the end of October, a treatment against RSV, nirsevimab, indicated to protect against respiratory disease with a risk of hospitalization in babies up to two years of age.

There is also another monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, also used to prevent RSV hospitalization in babies.

Finally, an immunizer administered to women during pregnancy capable of reducing the risk of bronchiolitis in babies in their first virus season was also approved by the American agency this year.

Pfizer requested, in August, a registration request from Anvisa for its vaccine indicated for pregnant women that protects babies against bronchiolitis, but the request is still being analyzed by the agency.