Vaccination against RSV - ABRYSVO

Vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV - ABRYSVO

ABRYSVO is a bivalent recombinant vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. The vaccine helps the body develop immune protection against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. ABRYSVO may be used in adults from 18 years of age, as well as in pregnant women during a specific stage of pregnancy, to help protect the infant during the first months of life.

Vaccine against RSV - ABRYSVO

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms in many people: a runny nose, cough, throat irritation, fatigue or a mild fever. However, in infants, young children, older adults and patients with chronic diseases, RSV can have a more severe course and cause lower respiratory tract diseases, including bronchiolitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.

The ABRYSVO vaccine is intended to protect against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV. Suitability for vaccination is assessed by a doctor, taking into account age, stage of pregnancy, health status, chronic diseases, previous vaccinations and individual risks.

What is RSV and why can it be dangerous?

RSV is an infectious respiratory virus that spreads through respiratory droplets, close contact, hands and surfaces. It is possible to become infected with RSV repeatedly, as immunity after infection is not long-lasting. In most adults, RSV infection has a mild course, but in certain groups it can cause more serious complications. Particular caution is needed for infants, premature babies, older adults and patients with heart, lung or immune system diseases.

RSV may cause:

  • prolonged and paroxysmal cough;

  • difficulty breathing;

  • bronchitis;

  • bronchiolitis;

  • pneumonia;

  • exacerbations of chronic lung diseases;

  • the need for hospitalisation in risk groups.

What is the ABRYSVO vaccine?

ABRYSVO is a vaccine against RSV that contains two recombinant stabilised RSV prefusion F protein antigens — for the RSV A and RSV B subgroups. The vaccine does not contain live RSV virus.

After vaccination, the immune system recognises the RSV proteins contained in the vaccine and develops a protective response. If a person later comes into contact with RSV, the immune system is better prepared to respond, helping to reduce the risk of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.

The ABRYSVO vaccine is administered as a single injection into the upper arm muscle. The exact suitability and timing of vaccination are determined by a doctor.

Who may the ABRYSVO vaccine be suitable for?

The ABRYSVO vaccine may be suitable for:

  • adults from 18 years of age for protection against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV;

  • pregnant women from 24 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to help protect the infant from lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV from birth up to 6 months of age;

  • patients at increased risk of severe RSV infection, if the doctor considers vaccination appropriate;

  • people with chronic respiratory, heart or other diseases, if RSV infection may pose a higher risk of complications;

  • older patients in whom RSV may have a more severe course.

Vaccination should be especially considered for people who have a higher risk of complications in the event of RSV infection. However, the decision about vaccination should always be made individually during a consultation with a doctor.

ABRYSVO during pregnancy

ABRYSVO may be used in pregnant women during a specific period of pregnancy to help protect the infant from lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV during the first months of life. In this case, vaccination works as maternal immunisation — antibodies formed in the mother’s body pass through the placenta to the baby.

This is particularly important because infants in the first months of life are one of the risk groups for RSV. In more severe cases, RSV in infants may cause bronchiolitis, breathing difficulties and the need for hospital treatment.

For pregnant women, the suitability, timing and possible precautions related to vaccination are assessed by a doctor or midwife. Before vaccination, the specialist should be informed about the course of pregnancy, allergies, chronic diseases, previous reactions to vaccines and medications being used.

When should you be vaccinated against RSV?

RSV infection can circulate throughout the year, but an increase in cases is more often observed in winter and spring. Therefore, vaccination should be planned in good time, especially before the RSV season or, in the case of pregnant women, during the appropriate weeks of pregnancy.

The doctor helps determine the timing of vaccination, taking into account:

  • the patient’s age;

  • health status;

  • chronic diseases;

  • week of pregnancy;

  • previous vaccinations;

  • planned influenza, Covid-19 or other vaccinations;

  • seasonal RSV activity.

ABRYSVO may be administered during the same visit as other vaccines or separately; the vaccination plan is determined by the doctor, taking into account current recommendations and the patient’s situation.

How is vaccination with ABRYSVO carried out?

Vaccination is a short outpatient procedure. Before vaccination, a healthcare professional assesses the patient’s health status and asks about allergies, previous reactions to vaccines, acute and chronic diseases.

Vaccination usually takes place as follows:

  1. Consultation and assessment: it is determined whether the vaccine is suitable in the specific situation.

  2. Selection of the vaccination plan: the doctor or vaccination specialist determines the most appropriate timing.

  3. Administration of the vaccine: ABRYSVO is injected into the upper arm muscle.

  4. Observation after vaccination: after the injection, the patient is advised to remain in the medical facility for a short period of time.

  5. Recommendations after vaccination: the patient receives instructions about possible reactions and situations in which they should contact a doctor.

Possible reactions after the ABRYSVO vaccine

As with other vaccines, temporary reactions may occur after ABRYSVO. Most often they are mild or moderate and pass within a few days.

Possible reactions include:

  • pain at the injection site;

  • redness or swelling at the injection site;

  • fatigue;

  • headache;

  • muscle pain;

  • joint pain;

  • mild fever;

  • temporary worsening of general well-being.

Allergic reactions are possible less often. In very rare cases, more serious reactions may occur after vaccination, so a doctor should be contacted if pronounced or unusual symptoms develop after vaccination. Emergency medical help should be sought if shortness of breath, swelling of the face or throat, a severe allergic reaction, pronounced weakness, neurological symptoms or a rapid worsening of general well-being occurs after vaccination.

When should vaccination be postponed or assessed with special caution?

ABRYSVO vaccination may need to be postponed or carefully assessed in the following cases:

  • acute illness with high fever;

  • previous severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component;

  • blood clotting disorders;

  • thrombocytopenia or increased risk of bleeding after intramuscular injection;

  • immunosuppressive therapy or significantly weakened immune system;

  • recent vaccination, if an interval must be observed;

  • pregnancy outside the period intended for vaccination;

  • unclear or rapidly worsening health situation.

In the case of a mild cold, vaccination does not always need to be postponed, but the decision is made by a healthcare professional after assessing symptoms and the patient’s well-being.

Why get vaccinated against RSV?

Vaccination against RSV is a preventive option for people for whom RSV infection may pose a higher health risk. It can help reduce the risk of lower respiratory tract disease, the likelihood of a more severe course of illness and the risk of RSV-related complications in risk groups.

ABRYSVO vaccination may be especially important for:

  • older adults;

  • patients with chronic heart or lung diseases;

  • patients with a weakened immune system;

  • pregnant women, to help protect the infant during the first months of life;

  • people who care for infants or live in close contact with risk groups.

Vaccination does not replace other preventive measures. Hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick people, ventilating rooms and staying at home during an acute respiratory infection remain important for RSV prevention.

Common myths about the RSV vaccine ABRYSVO

Myth: RSV is only a children’s disease | RSV often affects infants and young children, but people of any age can become infected. In adults, the disease often has a milder course, but in older adults and patients with chronic diseases, RSV can cause serious lower respiratory tract complications.

Myth: If you have already had RSV, vaccination is not needed | Immunity after RSV infection is not long-lasting, and it is possible to become infected with RSV repeatedly. The need for vaccination depends on age, health status and risk factors, so it is assessed by a doctor.

Myth: The ABRYSVO vaccine contains a live virus | ABRYSVO is a recombinant vaccine and does not contain live RSV virus. It helps the immune system recognise RSV surface proteins and prepare a protective response against the virus.