RSV: Moderna’s vaccine is highly effective in the elderly and is considered safe

The pharmaceutical company Moderna announced, on Tuesday (17), that the vaccine being studied for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) had 83.7% effectiveness in elderly over 60 years, target audience of the tests. The virus is the causative agent of infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in babies and the elderly.

With the result, Moderna will submit the results to regulatory agencies to obtain a possible approval in the first half of 2023. If approved, it will be the first vaccine available to prevent the virus.

According to the InfoGripe bulletin released by Fiocruz last Thursday (12), RSV was associated with 12.6% of respiratory syndromes in Brazil. Among children, the virus predominates among cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), accounting for 59% of disease notifications in children from zero to four years of age.

How does the vaccine work and how was the study done?

The vaccine developed by Moderna uses the technology of Messenger RNA (mRNA) to induce the immune system response. In practice, the immunizer acts as an “instruction manual” that teaches the body’s cells to produce a certain protein that helps the immune system to create defenses. That’s the same application for Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

To carry out the study on the effectiveness of the vaccine, Moderna evaluated the immunizer dose at about 37,000 seniors in 22 countries. The results obtained indicate that the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting against RSV action.

Read more: 11 vaccines every woman should have

According to Stéphane Bancel, CEO of the pharmaceutical company, the laboratory is also developing other vaccines with the same mRNA technology, including unprecedented applications for HIV and Zika Virus, in addition to other respiratory diseases, which it considers “a major health priority public”. Moderna also announced that it intends to start testing a pediatric version of the vaccine for RSV, given the severity of respiratory illnesses caused by the virus in children.

VSR: what is how to protect babies and the elderly

Respiratory syncytial virus belongs to the genus Pneumovirus and is one of the main agents of acute infections that can affect the bronchi (bronchiolitis) and lungs (pneumonia). You main risk groups are premature babiesthose with chronic lung diseases and those suffering from congenital or acquired immunodeficiency.

The elderly are more susceptible to infection due to weakened immune systems. Older patients may show symptoms of pneumonia and heart failure in the severe form of the disease. The main risk group are seniors over 60 who have heart or lung disease.

The predominant symptoms during RSV infection are:

Know more: Have you ever had nightmares during a fever? Find out why it happens and how to avoid it.

To prevent RSV infection, it is important to maintain frequent hand hygiene, avoid crowded environments, avoid contact between babies and adults who have a cold or the flu, leave environments well ventilated, clean toys and encourage breastfeeding.