The first vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine, named Arexvy, will be given to people 60 years and older.
The European Medicines Agency is recommending the use of this vaccine, with a final decision likely to be made in July 2023. The UK drugs regulator is also considering the evidence.
RSV is quite closely related to measles and mumps viruses, but unlike those two, it mostly causes symptoms similar to a bad cold. It is spread through coughing and sneezing and it can hang around on surfaces for several hours. It is found all over the world, with most cases occurring in winter.