- RSV vaccination recommended for Quebec adults living in residential and
long-term care centres (CHSLD), intermediate resources
(RI-SAPA)
- RSV vaccination recommended for Quebec residents aged 75 and up living in
private seniors' residences and those with chronic illnesses living
in the community
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 24,
2024 /CNW/ - The Committee on Immunization of
Quebec (Comité sur l'immunisation
du Québec - CIQ) has recommended use of RSV (respiratory syncytial
virus) vaccines, including AREXVY, for the prevention of RSV among
older adults at increased risk of severe outcomes from the virus.
Specifically, CIQ recommends vaccination for older adults living in
residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs), intermediate
resources (RI-SAPA), as well as adults aged 75 and older living in
private seniors' residences and those with chronic illnesses living
in the community.i
RSV is a common, contagious virus that affects the lungs and
respiratory airways. For most people, the virus causes cold-like
symptoms, but for older adults and adults with certain health
conditions it can lead to more serious infection and complications
such as pneumonia, hospitalization and even
death.ii,iii
Marni Freeman, Country Medical
Director, GSK Canada said: "As our immune system ages, all
of us become more vulnerable to severe consequences of RSV disease.
Older adults who are immunocompromised or suffer from underlying
medical conditions such as chronic heart or lung disease, are at an
even greater risk.iii The CIQ recommendation reflects
the important role AREXVY can play in reducing the incidence and
overall burden of respiratory syncytial virus among Quebec's older adult population and we look
forward to collaborating with public health officials, healthcare
professionals and payers to ensure optimal vaccine access in the
province."
The CIQ recommendations for RSV vaccination follow those issued
by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) published
earlier this month.
AREXVY was approved in Canada
in August 2023 and is indicated for
the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 60 years of age
and older.iv Approval of AREXVY was based on a
comprehensive Phase III clinical trial program that showed high
vaccine efficacy of 82.6% for prevention of lower respiratory tract
disease caused by RSV in adults ≥60 years of age, and 94.6%
efficacy in older adults with underlying medical conditions.
About RSV in older adults
RSV is a common contagious virus affecting the lungs and
breathing passages.v For adults 60 and older, data
demonstrate an increased risk for severe RSV infection that can
lead to hospitalization.vi,vii Older adults are at high
risk for severe disease due in part to age-related decline in
immunity, and older adults with underlying conditions are at even
greater risk for severe disease.viii,ix RSV can
exacerbate conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), asthma, and congestive heart failure and can lead
to severe outcomes, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and
death. iii
About AREXVY
GSK's RSV older adult vaccine contains a recombinant subunit
prefusion RSV F glycoprotein antigen (RSVPreF3) combined with GSK's
proprietary AS01E adjuvant. In Canada, AREXVY is indicated for the prevention
of RSV-LRTD in individuals 60 years of age and older and is to be
given intramuscularly as a single dose.iv
The GSK proprietary AS01 adjuvant system contains QS-21 STIMULON
adjuvant licensed from Antigenics Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Agenus Inc.
The Product Monograph, posted at www.ca.gsk.com, should be
consulted for complete administration and safety information.
About GSK
We are a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite
science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
Find out more at www.ca.gsk.com.
i Comité sur l'immunisation du Québec
(CIQ). Use of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in
individuals 60 years of age and older in the Quebec Immunization
Program.
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ii
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms and Care of
RSV. Available at: Symptoms and Care of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial
Virus) CDC
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iii Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in Older Adults and Adults
with Chronic Medical Conditions. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html
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iv Arexvy Product Monograph (2023),
GSK. Available at: www.gsk.ca
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v Canadian Lung Association.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Available at:
https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-disease/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv.
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vi Branche AR, Saiman L, Walsh
EE, et al. Incidence of respiratory syncytial virus
infection among hospitalized adults, 2017-2020. Clin Infect
Dis 2022;74(6):1004-11.
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vii Belongia
EA, King JP, Kieke BA, et al. Clinical features,
severity, and incidence of RSV illness during 12 consecutive
seasons in a community cohort of adults ≥60 years old. Open
Forum Infect Dis 2018;5(12):1-10.
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viii
Weiskopf D, Weinberger B, Grubeck-Loebenstein B. The aging of the
immune system. Transpl Int 2009;22:1041–1050
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SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Inc.