The European Commission has approved the expanded use of GSK PLC's (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) Arexvy, its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, to include adults aged 50 to 59 at increased risk due to underlying medical conditions.
It allows for the jab's use ahead of the upcoming RSV season across Europe.
Previously approved in Europe for adults aged 60 and over, Arexvy is a recombinant adjuvanted vaccine.
Approximately 20 million individuals in 30 European countries fall within the newly authorised age group, which includes those with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart failure, or diabetes, elevating their risk of severe RSV-related complications, including pneumonia, hospitalisation, or even death.
Following a similar approval in the United States, the European Commission's decision is expected to be mirrored in other countries, including Japan, later this year.
This expansion aims to protect a significant portion of the adult population vulnerable to severe outcomes from RSV, marking a critical step in public health preparedness ahead of the RSV season.