FDA Panel Backs Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine Despite Safety and Efficacy Concerns

At a Tuesday meeting, the FDA expert advisors were presented with Pfizer’s vaccine candidate for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Abrysvo. Despite lingering safety and efficacy questions, the panel ultimately gave their support to the potential RSV vaccine.

The key question of whether or not its safety and efficacy merit approval to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in older adults was at hand. While some advisors had reservations due to safety signals and study design issues, they concluded that there is enough evidence that suggests Abrysvo could be beneficial in preventing this type of infection in seniors.

Though more research needs to be done before it can receive full approval from the FDA, this vote of confidence from experts gives hope that one day soon we will have a safe and effective way of protecting our elderly population against RSV infections.