The journey to a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major global health problem associated with significant morbidity and mortality in low-and middle-income countries.There are several vaccine candidates in the pipeline directed toward different target populations: infants younger than 6 months, children older than 6 months to 2-to 5-year-old children, and the elderly.To protect the young infant from severe RSV infection, a combined strategy using passive and active immunization with maternal vaccination and high-potency, extended half-life monoclonal antibodies may be needed.Vaccines will have the opportunity to decrease not only the burden of acute RSV disease but also the long-term respiratory morbidity associated with this infection.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F‐protein functional antibody repertoire in adult healthy donors

“…Notwithstanding six decades of efforts, no vaccine against RSV is currently available and its heavy toll continues to impinge especially on older adults and children less than 5 years of age (Nair et al, 2010). Several vaccines against RSV are already under clinical evaluation (Mejias et al, 2020). Most of these vaccines target people already exposed to RSV infection such as pregnant women and older adults, and their antibody response to vaccination will build on the pre-existing immunity.…”

Intervention Strategies for Seasonal and Emerging Respiratory Viruses with Drugs and Vaccines Targeting Viral Surface Glycoproteins

“…Unfortunately, no safe and approved RSV vaccine exists despite numerous attempts using various vaccine strategies in recent decades. The most infamous vaccine strategy for RSV was the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine (FI-RSV), which induced enhanced disease in young vaccinees when they were subsequently naturally infected with RSV [ 13 , 14 ]. The FI-RSV vaccine caused unexpected enhanced respiratory disease (ERD) and some mortality.…”

Satellite Symposia

“…Unfortunately, treatment remains supportive and there are no licensed vaccines or other preventive strategies such as monoclonal antibodies that are approved for administration in all infants. However, as new technologies emerge and refinements of existing approaches occur, the future is looking brighter [5]. Therefore, to be ready for a new era in reduction of the RSV impact on children's health, we should be prepared to implement new preventive strategies that will underpin robust RSV surveillance systems in the COVID and post‐COVID era.…”