The RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine is designed to protect against RSV, a common respiratory virus that can cause severe infections, especially in infants, young children, and older adults.
RSV is a major cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children, and it can also lead to serious illness in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
There are a few different types of RSV vaccines in development or already approved:1. Maternal Vaccines: Given to pregnant women to protect their newborns through the transfer of antibodies.2. Pediatric Vaccines: Designed specifically for infants and young children.4. Older Adult Vaccines: Targeted at older adults who are at higher risk of severe RSV infections.
These vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that can recognize and fight the virus, reducing the severity and incidence of RSV infections.
Some of the vaccines are based on protein subunits, live-attenuated virus, or vector-based platforms.
The development and approval of RSV vaccines are significant public health advancements, as there were no widely available vaccines for RSV for many years.
The recent advancements in vaccine technology and increased understanding of the virus have led to promising candidates that could help reduce the burden of RSV-related illnesses.