PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to expand the recommended use of GSK’s AREXVY (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine, Adjuvanted) to adults aged 50-59 who are at increased risk of severe illness from RSV. This group includes individuals with conditions like asthma, COPD, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as those in residential care settings.
Previously, ACIP had recommended RSV vaccines for adults aged 60-74 at heightened risk and anyone aged 75 and older. This new guidance broadens access to RSV immunization for an additional 13 million adults across the U.S., a significant milestone as RSV continues to cause approximately 42,000 hospitalizations annually among adults aged 50-64.
“RSV can have a significant impact for those with underlying medical conditions,” said Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer at GSK. “We are pleased with ACIP’s recommendation to expand the benefits of RSV immunization to more than 13 million adults aged 50-59 who are at increased risk for the severe consequences of this virus.”
The expanded recommendation follows positive results from a phase III clinical trial that validated the vaccine’s safety and immune response in this age group. AREXVY is already approved for individuals 60 and older and now includes adults 50-59 falling under high-risk categories.
RSV poses serious risks for those with pre-existing health conditions by exacerbating illnesses such as heart failure and diabetes, often leading to pneumonia, hospitalization, or even death. With ACIP’s proposal awaiting final approval, its adoption could guide healthcare providers and insurers on broader vaccine use to help curb severe outcomes in vulnerable populations.
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