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Review
. 2023 Oct 19;12(10):1259.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens12101259.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines: A Review of the Candidates and the Approved Vaccines

Xanthippi Topalidou  1 , Alexis M Kalergis  2   3 , Georgios Papazisis  1   4
Affiliations
Review

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines: A Review of the Candidates and the Approved Vaccines

Xanthippi Topalidou et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for a significant proportion of global morbidity and mortality affecting young children and older adults. In the aftermath of formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine development, the effort to develop an immunizing agent was carefully guided by epidemiologic and pathophysiological evidence of the virus, including various vaccine technologies. The pipeline of RSV vaccine development includes messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), live-attenuated (LAV), subunit, and recombinant vector-based vaccine candidates targeting different virus proteins. The availability of vaccine candidates of various technologies enables adjustment to the individualized needs of each vulnerable age group. Arexvy® (GSK), followed by Abrysvo® (Pfizer), is the first vaccine available for market use as an immunizing agent to prevent lower respiratory tract disease in older adults. Abrysvo is additionally indicated for the passive immunization of infants by maternal administration during pregnancy. This review presents the RSV vaccine pipeline, analyzing the results of clinical trials. The key features of each vaccine technology are also mentioned. Currently, 24 vaccines are in the clinical stage of development, including the 2 licensed vaccines. Research in the field of RSV vaccination, including the pharmacovigilance methods of already approved vaccines, promotes the achievement of successful prevention.

Keywords: live-attenuated vaccine; lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI); mRNA vaccine; prevention; recombinant vaccine; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); subunit vaccine; vaccine candidates; vaccine development.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.M.K. holds a patent for the rBCG-N-hRSV vaccine with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PCT/US2008/076682). X.T. and G.P. declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structure of the RSV virion and categorization of the vaccine candidates according to the vaccine target. (Parts of the figure and the graphical abstract were created by using pictures from Servier Medical Art. Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age target groups of the vaccines.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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