Sarah Bennett
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering within one to two weeks. However, it can cause severe illness and even death in infants, older people, and those with certain risk factors, such as chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or other medical conditions. While RSV vaccines are available and recommended for people over 60 or 75 and those with risk factors, there have been concerns about potential side effects, including an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and preterm births among pregnant women who received the vaccine. The CDC and FDA are monitoring the safety of RSV vaccines and weighing the benefits against the risks, with some sources stating that the benefits of reducing hospitalizations and deaths outweigh the potential risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First vaccines licensed | 2023 |
| Vaccines recommended for | Adults 75 or older, adults 60-74 with risk factors |
| Best time to get vaccinated | Late summer and early fall |
| RSV risk factors | Chronic medical conditions, lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurologic or neuromuscular conditions, kidney disorders, liver disorders, diabetes, immune compromise |
| Common side effects | Fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea, diarrhea, injection site pain, myalgia (muscle pain), atrial fibrillation |
| Serious side effects | Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), preterm births, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy |
| Vaccines causing GBS | GSK's Arexvy, Pfizer's Abrysvo |
| Vaccines not causing GBS | Moderna's mResvia |
| Vaccines for infants | Nirsevimab for infants younger than 8 months, recommended for children 8-19 months with risk factors |
| Vaccines for pregnant women | Pfizer's Abrysvo, recommended from 32-36 weeks' gestation |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
RSV vaccines and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, and most people recover within one or two weeks. However, RSV can cause severe illness and even death in older people, infants, and those with certain risk factors, such as chronic medical conditions.
To reduce the risk of severe illness, several RSV vaccines have been developed and approved for use in older adults, pregnant women, and young children. These vaccines include Pfizer's Abrysvo, GSK's Arexvy, and Moderna's mResvia. While these vaccines have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of severe RSV disease, there have been reports of a potential association between RSV vaccines and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder characterised by peripheral, autoimmune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy, which can lead to muscle weakness and even paralysis. It is typically diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and supported by additional tests such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and electrophysiological studies. GBS is a known but uncommon side effect of certain vaccinations, and there have been reports of an increased risk of GBS following RSV vaccination, particularly with Pfizer's Abrysvo and GSK's Arexvy.
In response to these reports, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required safety labelling changes to the prescribing information for both Abrysvo and Arexvy. The FDA's review of safety data from clinical trials involving approximately 22,000 participants revealed that one participant developed GBS seven days after receiving the Abrysvo vaccine, while another participant developed Miller-Fisher syndrome (a variant of GBS) eight days post-vaccination. Additionally, a case study described a 60-year-old man who developed GBS two weeks after receiving Pfizer's RSV vaccine in conjunction with the influenza vaccine.
Despite these reports, it is important to note that the exact relationship between RSV vaccines and GBS remains uncertain. Clinical trials of Moderna's mResvia vaccine, for instance, did not report any cases of GBS among adults. However, healthcare authorities such as the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines and emphasise that the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe RSV disease and reducing hospitalisations and deaths outweigh the potential risks, including the risk of GBS.
Fetal Cells in MMR Vaccines: Abortion's Dark Legacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Do Vaccines Cause That?! A Guide for Evaluating Vaccine Safety Concerns [Paperback] [i4ph] (Author) Martin Myers, Diego Pineda](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518o85H-JxL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![[Vaccine Safety Manual for Concerned Families and Health Practitioners: Guide to Immunization Risks and Protection] (By: Neil Z. Miller) [published: December, 2011]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61NT9afIQyL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![International Certificate of Vaccination with Vinyl Document Holder - World Health Organization Bilingual Version [cards] World Health Organization [Jan 01, 2007]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SHjBP1VYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
RSV vaccines and preterm births
RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering within one to two weeks. However, RSV can be severe in infants and older adults, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, and is a leading cause of hospitalization in these groups.
Vaccines for RSV have been developed to help reduce the risk of severe illness. The first RSV vaccines were licensed by the FDA in 2023 for older adults, and there are now three vaccines recommended for those aged 75 and over, and for adults aged 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.
For infants, two immunization products are available for the prevention of severe RSV disease: maternal RSV vaccines and nirsevimab, which is given directly to the infant. The maternal vaccine is given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy and protects the baby against RSV for approximately six months after birth.
Clinical trials identified an increase in preterm births among pregnant women who received the vaccine, though this was not a statistically significant increase. The FDA approved the Pfizer RSV vaccine for pregnant women at 32-36 weeks' gestation to avoid the potential risk of preterm birth before 32 weeks. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) judged that the benefits of the maternal Pfizer RSV vaccine at this stage of pregnancy outweighed the potential risks. The ACIP Work Group supported the use of the vaccine during this interval, stating that it reduces the potential risk of preterm birth and the potential for complications from preterm birth.
The CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines to ensure that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the possible risks.
Vaccination Status: Can Employers Ask?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
RSV vaccine eligibility
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, RSV can be serious for infants and older adults, particularly those with chronic medical conditions. RSV vaccines are available to help reduce the risk of severe illness.
The first RSV vaccines were licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023 for older adults. Currently, there are three RSV vaccines available for adults: GSK's Arexvy, Moderna's mResvia, and Pfizer's Abrysvo. The CDC recommends that all adults aged 75 and older receive the RSV vaccine, as well as adults aged 60 to 74 who have risk factors for severe RSV disease, such as chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, other medical conditions such as diabetes, and/or living in a nursing home.
For adults aged 50-74, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgment and knowledge of local RSV epidemiology to recommend vaccination for this age group, especially if they are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. The CDC does not have a preference for any specific vaccine, and eligible adults can receive any licensed and available RSV vaccine.
RSV vaccines are also recommended for pregnant women to protect their newborns. The maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer's Abrysvo) is given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, and the antibodies protect the baby against RSV for approximately the first six months after birth, when they are most vulnerable to the virus. Clinical trials have shown a slight increase in preterm births among pregnant women who received the vaccine, but the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has judged the benefits of the vaccine to outweigh the potential risks.
While the RSV vaccine is generally safe, some common side effects include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea, and diarrhoea. In rare cases, a small number of people have developed serious neurological conditions such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after receiving the vaccine. However, the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines and ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.
MMR Vaccine and Autism: Exploring the Link
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$23.99 $49.99
RSV vaccine side effects
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, and most people recover within one or two weeks. However, RSV can cause severe illness, especially in infants, older adults, and individuals with certain risk factors, such as chronic medical conditions. To reduce the risk of severe RSV, vaccines have been developed and are recommended for individuals in high-risk groups.
As with any vaccine, there is a possibility of side effects from the RSV vaccine. The CDC states that the side effects are typically mild, and may include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea, and diarrhoea. In addition, some patients may experience pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
In rare cases, more serious side effects have been reported. A small number of participants in clinical trials who received GSK's Arexvy or Pfizer's Abrysvo vaccine developed serious neurological conditions, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). However, it is important to note that the risk of developing GBS is not fully understood, and the CDC and FDA are continuing to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines.
Pregnant women who received the RSV vaccine during clinical trials experienced an increase in preterm births, although this increase was not statistically significant. The FDA approved the Pfizer RSV vaccine for pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks of gestation to avoid the potential risk of preterm birth before 32 weeks. The benefits of maternal vaccination in protecting newborns from RSV are considered to outweigh the potential risks.
Overall, while there may be side effects associated with the RSV vaccine, the benefits of immunization in preventing severe RSV disease are significant, especially for high-risk individuals. The CDC, FDA, and other agencies are committed to monitoring the safety of the RSV vaccine and ensuring that the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
Writing Vaccination Dates: Is It Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$26.35 $49.99
RSV vaccine effectiveness
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering within one to two weeks. However, RSV can be dangerous for infants, older people, and those with certain risk factors, such as chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or other medical conditions. In these high-risk groups, RSV can lead to severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.
To protect against severe RSV, several vaccines have been developed and licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include AREXVY® from GSK, ABRYSVO® from Pfizer, and mRESVIA® from Moderna. The CDC recommends that adults 75 and older and those aged 60 to 74 with risk factors for severe RSV receive one of these vaccines. The best time to get vaccinated is during late summer or early fall.
The effectiveness of these vaccines has been studied during the 2023-2024 RSV season. GSK's Arexvy was found to be approximately 77% effective in preventing RSV-associated emergency department visits and 83% effective in preventing hospitalizations in adults 60 and older. Pfizer's Abrysvo showed similar effectiveness, preventing 79% of RSV-associated emergency department visits and 73% of hospitalizations in the same age group. Moderna's mResvia demonstrated an efficacy of around 80% against symptomatic RSV during the first four months after vaccination, dropping to 56% after one year.
While these vaccines have shown promising results in reducing the risk of severe RSV, there are some safety concerns. Clinical trials have identified a potential increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after vaccination with GSK's Arexvy and Pfizer's Abrysvo. However, there were no reported cases of GBS in adults who received Moderna's mResvia. Other common side effects of the RSV vaccines include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea, and diarrhea, which are typically mild.
In pregnant women, RSV vaccines may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and hypertensive disorders, although the increase was not statistically significant. The CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines to ensure that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks.
Booster Shots: Same Vaccine, Different Impact
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The side effects of the RSV vaccine are typically mild and include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea, and diarrhea. In rare cases, the vaccine has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a condition that affects the nerves. However, the benefits of the vaccine in preventing severe RSV disease are considered to outweigh the small risk of GBS.
Clinical trials have shown a slight increase in preterm births among pregnant women who received the RSV vaccine. However, the FDA has approved the Pfizer RSV vaccine for pregnant women from 32 to 36 weeks' gestation to avoid the potential risk of preterm birth before 32 weeks. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has concluded that the benefits of maternal vaccination outweigh the potential risks.
The RSV vaccine is recommended for older adults, especially those with certain underlying conditions or risk factors, as they are more susceptible to severe illness from RSV. While there are no geriatric-specific problems identified with the vaccine, it is important to consider individual characteristics and risk factors when deciding whether to get vaccinated.
The RSV vaccine is not suitable for individuals who have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or an ingredient in the vaccine. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider to assess individual risks and determine whether the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any potential concerns.
