The European Union Commission has approved the first vaccine for the elderly against common respiratory pathogens. Specifically, the committee announced today that it is about the “Arixvi” vaccine. The material protects against lower respiratory diseases caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine is now approved in the European Union for adults over the age of 60.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said it was hoped the vaccine would prevent some of the problems he suffered from last winter. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
Most people recover within a week or two, according to the committee. “But RSV can be dangerous in people who are at risk, including the elderly and people with lung or heart disease and diabetes,” she added.
In Europe, RSV causes an estimated 250,000 hospitalizations and 17,000 in-hospital deaths for people aged 65 and over each year. RSV, which is also dangerous for children, put a strain on Austria’s health system last winter – along with coronavirus and influenza.
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