GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) has confirmed that the US Food & Drug Administration has approved Arexvy for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults aged 50 to 59 at increased risk of severe outcomes from the cold-like infection.
GSK estimates over 13 million US adults fall into this category. The vaccine, already approved for adults aged 60 and older, is now available for younger at-risk adults.
Studies estimate RSV causes 42,000 hospitalisations annually in US adults aged 50 to 64.
Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart failure, and diabetes increase the risk of severe RSV infection.
RSV can worsen these conditions, leading to pneumonia, hospitalisation, or death.
"Today's approval reflects the importance of broadening the benefits of RSV immunisation to adults aged 50-59 who are at increased risk," said GSK chief scientific officer Tony Wood.
"For those with underlying medical conditions, RSV can have serious consequences, so we are proud to be the first to help protect them from RSV-LRTD."