RSV vaccine in development

Published on: 13/08/2015

Researchers from the Oxford Vaccine Group have conducted trials on a new RSV vaccine, developed by biotechnology firm Reithera. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an extremely common and potentially very serious virus.  It affects two-thirds of babies in their first year and is a major cause of hospital admission in the UK, it is responsible for one in six admissions of children to hospital in winter months.  RSV is especially dangerous to those born prematurely or with other respiratory problems. In the developing world it is the disease that causes the second highest number of deaths in the under 1s, after malaria.

 

Experts have been working on a vaccine since the 60’s but early trials were very problematic, but this new vaccine is being developed using genetic engineering.  Although It is the first stage in many years of trials, the initial results are very encouraging.

 

Study leader Dr Christopher Green, a clinical research fellow at Oxford University said:  “This is encouraging data.  The results of this trial are a positive signal that prevention of RSV is achievable.”

 

Read a BBC report here