The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for a vaccine that guards against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease that claims the lives of numerous Americans annually.

Before becoming available to the public, the vaccine, named Arexvy and manufactured by GSK, must receive approval from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials have described the vaccine as a significant advancement that will save numerous lives. It is anticipated to be accessible to individuals aged over 60 in a matter of months.

Dr. Peter Marks, the head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, hailed the approval of the first RSV vaccine as a significant milestone in public health, stating that it will aid in preventing a life-threatening ailment. While adults with RSV typically exhibit cold-like symptoms, the disease can pose a danger to young children, senior citizens, and individuals with underlying health issues. According to the CDC, the disease claims the lives of 100-300 American children under the age of 5 on average each year.

RSV is responsible for the deaths of approximately 6,000 to 10,000 senior citizens over the age of 65 each year and results in 60,000 to 120,000 hospital admissions, according to statistics. In severe cases, RSV can cause bronchiolitis, which is characterized by lung inflammation and difficulty in breathing. The vaccine, which took over 60 years to develop, is the world's first to receive approval for preventing RSV.

According to a study conducted by UK-based pharmaceutical company GSK, which was published in February, the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 82.6%. The side effects of the vaccine were generally mild or moderate and lasted no longer than two days. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site or fatigue.

Symptoms shown in Children

RSV usually begins with symptoms such as a congested or runny nose and can develop into a dry cough, fever, and, in some cases, breathing difficulties.

While it is usually mild for children, it can be managed with over-the-counter medications like infant paracetamol or ibuprofen at home.

If your child is experiencing difficulty in feeding, fast breathing or persistent high temperature, it is advised to seek medical attention from a doctor.

In case your child is extremely exhausted due to breathing problems, emergency services should be called.

Signs of extreme breathing difficulty can include the muscles under the ribs visibly sucking in with each breath, or the child appearing pale and sweaty.