Revitalizing hope for older adults: The use of the novel Arexvy for immunization against respiratory syncytial virus.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, is the most common cause of respiratory tract diseases, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections in adults. Researchers worldwide have been working for decades to develop an RSV vaccine that is both safe and cost-effective. This correspondence aims to highlight the recent breakthroughs in the immunization against RSV for older adults (60 years and above), encompassing the newly sanctioned prophylactic agent by the FDA, drawing attention to its side effects that need to be taken care of and providing clear recommendations to maximize the potential influence of these advancements on RSV-related diseases globally. We did a literature search on RSV among older adults and its treatment on PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and FDA databases within 10 years. Keywords used for our search were; "Respiratory Syncytial Virus," "Older adults," "FDA," "Arexvy," and "Immunization." We found approximately 6000-10,000 lives and 60,000-160,000 hospital admissions among adults aged 65 years and older each year in the world, especially in the United States of America. Currently, there is no vaccine or targeted treatment for RSV for the most affected individuals, that is, the older adults, who are given supportive care. Recently, the USA- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arexvy (a recombinant subunit RSV vaccine) based on its encouraging results demonstrating acceptable safety and efficacy in a large-scale multi-centered Phase 3 trial. Authorization of Arexvy, although a breakthrough in the field of research, needs to be approached with a blend of optimism tempered by caution. Robust studies, including large-scale randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies and systematic reviews and meta-analyses, need to be conducted to ascertain its safety and efficacy.