The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Abrysvo, a vaccine developed by Pfizer, for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults aged 18 to 49 who are at increased risk due to underlying medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This approval marks a significant step forward in RSV prevention, as Abrysvo is now the only RSV vaccine available for this younger at-risk population.
Clinical Basis for Approval
The FDA's decision was supported by data from the Phase 3 MONeT clinical trial (NCT05842967), which evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of Abrysvo in 886 adults, including those with COPD. The trial demonstrated that the vaccine was generally safe and induced an immune response in this high-risk group that was comparable to that observed in older adults (60 years and older) in a previous Phase 3 trial. Common side effects included injection site pain, muscle or joint pain, and nausea.
Impact on COPD Patients
COPD, characterized by chronic inflammation in the lungs, affects adults of all ages but is most common in those 40 or older. RSV infections can exacerbate COPD symptoms, leading to hospitalization in more than half of infected patients. According to Pfizer, about 10% of COPD patients may develop symptoms of an RSV infection. The availability of Abrysvo offers a new preventive measure for these individuals.
Expert Commentary
"RSV represents a significant threat to younger adults with certain chronic conditions," said Aamir Malik, chief U.S. commercial officer and executive vice president at Pfizer, in a company press release. "After decades of vaccine research by the scientific community and Pfizer, we now have the opportunity to help alleviate the burden of RSV in this high-risk adult population."
Current Landscape and Future Implications
Prior to this approval, Abrysvo was already authorized for use in adults aged 60 and older and for pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation to protect infants from birth through 6 months of age. With this expanded indication, Abrysvo is poised to play a crucial role in reducing the burden of RSV across a broader age range of at-risk individuals. Abrysvo has also received marketing authorization in the European Union for both older adults and maternal immunization, and has been widely approved worldwide for both indications.
