ASCIA has submitted a letter of support for the Arexvy^® Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine application for new National Immunisation Program (NIP) listing (lodged 29 May 2024) which is available at www.allergy.org.au/ascia-submissions 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) recombinant subunit vaccine  

Arexvy^® - GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd

Powder and suspension for injection (0.5 mL)

Clinical indication: Prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV

Application: To request a listing on the NIP for prevention of RSV in patients aged 60 years and over

ASCIA supports the application for the following reasons:

• Arexvy® is the first RSV vaccine which has been approved in Australia by the TGA for people 60 years and older for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. Arexvy® is a recombinant subunit vaccine, which does not contain live virus, and is therefore recommended for immunocompromised patients, which includes many people aged 60 years and older.
• RSV is a common and contagious respiratory virus that can cause cold and flu like symptoms in children and adults. Whilst in some cases RSV may be a mild infection, RSV can also cause serious illness and in rare cases, even death, in older adults.
• Older adults who are immunocompromised and/or have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure have a greater risk of being hospitalised from RSV compared with those without these conditions.

Symptoms of RSV in adults are often similar to other acute respiratory infections, like colds or influenza, and can include a blocked nose, cough, fatigue, fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and headache. Cases of RSV were only officially counted in Australia from 2021, so there are still gaps in fully understanding how common the disease is and what impact it has on the Australian population.

Here is a link to the GSK media release (regarding the TGA approval) for further information.

This news item was issued on 19 January 2024 and updated on 29 May 2024 by Jill Smith, CEO of ASCIA, the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.