Following the success of the COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA-based shots for other infectious diseases aren’t far behind. On Jan. 17, Moderna reported that data from the late-stage trial of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine show the shot is effective. That’s good news for the elderly and young children, who are at highest risk of complications from the respiratory disease—especially this year, as rates of infections have skyrocketed. While the vaccine was only tested in people over age 60, studies including young children are ongoing. Each year, 60,000 to 120,000 adults over age 65 are hospitalized for RSV, and 6,000 to 10,000 die from the infection. Meanwhile, 58,000 to 80,000 children under 5 are hospitalized annually, and 100 to 300 children die from the disease. Moderna isn’t the only company to apply mRNA technology to an RSV vaccine; Pfizer has also submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of its mRNA RSV vaccine for older adults. Here’s what Moderna announced: Among 37,000 people over age 60 who received either the RSV vaccine or a placebo, the vaccine was 83.7% effective in reducing respiratory disease caused by RSV. Moderna is conducting five additional trials of the vaccine, including in young children and in combination with other shots such as influenza and COVID-19. The company plans to request approval for the vaccine from the FDA soon. |
