Pfizer Inc. has announced the availability of its bivalent RSV prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine in Hong Kong this month. Approved by health authorities in Hong Kong and Macau, this vaccine is the first and only single-dose option to combat both RSV A and RSV B, targeting older adults aged 60 and above, as well as infants through maternal immunization.

The bivalent RSVpreF vaccine provides a significant advancement in the fight against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common respiratory illness with severe implications, particularly for infants and the elderly. RSV is associated with high hospitalization rates in children under one year old and a higher mortality rate than influenza among the elderly in Hong Kong.

"The availability of this bivalent RSVpreF vaccine reinforces our commitment to addressing critical public health needs. With this, we can help protect two vulnerable groups against RSV: babies and older adults," said Krishnamoorthy Sundaresan, General Manager of Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau Market.

RSV is a contagious virus affecting the lungs and breathing passages, leading to serious complications or death, especially in pre-term infants or infants under six months, as well as high-risk older adults. In 2019, RSV accounted for 33 million cases of acute lower respiratory infection globally, with 101,400 deaths in children aged five and younger. Among adults aged 65 and above, there were 336,000 hospitalizations and 14,100 in-hospital deaths globally in 2015. In Hong Kong, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization due to respiratory viruses in children under one year and a common cause of death among hospitalized elderly.

"Having the vaccine available to the market also supports the Hong Kong Health Bureau's Primary Healthcare Blueprint that endorses population health improvement through a more prevention-focused mindset rather than treatment-focused," said Eugenia Ng, Medical Director of Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau. "Aside from older adults, infants from birth up to six months can be protected against severe RSV, in which these infants experience the highest burden of RSV illness." The annual hospitalization rate for RSV in infants six months of age or less in Hong Kong ranges from 233.4 to 311.2 per 10,000.

The bivalent vaccine, unadjuvanted and composed of two preF proteins, is designed to optimize defense against RSV A and B strains, providing a safe and effective solution for vulnerable populations. Pfizer Inc. remains the only company offering an RSV vaccine suitable for both older adults and pregnant individuals, marking a significant milestone in public health.