We finally have an RSV vaccine

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( [Why it took so long to finally get an RSV vaccine]( By Alice Park Senior Health Correspondent It’s taken decades, but we now have a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The disease most seriously affects young children and older adults, which are the two populations emerging vaccines are targeting. I spoke to scientists who developed the vaccine at GlaxoSmithKline—as well as several at other companies that are also making RSV shots—about why this landmark vaccine for people ages 60 and older has taken so long. Here's what to know about the new shot, called Arexvy, and the long road to its milestone approval: - Studies show that the vaccine lowers the risk of getting RSV by 82% among older adults who get a single shot, compared to people receiving placebo. - It won’t be the only shot targeting the virus for long. Pfizer and Moderna are also developing and testing RSV vaccines for older adults as well as for babies. - While researchers have been working on an RSV vaccine for decades, it took recent breakthroughs, some of which were also critical in the creation of COVID-19 vaccines, to finally make it possible. [READ MORE]( Share This Story What Else to Read [Here’s How Long COVID-19 Vaccine Immunity Really Lasts]( By Alice Park A study quantifies how much vaccine protection drops over time and makes a case for boosters. [Read More »]( [Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Drug Shows Greatest Benefit Yet]( By Alice Park Donanemab slowed cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s disease by 35%, according to the company. [Read More »]( [Vermont Now Allows Non-Residents to Seek Assisted Suicide]( By Lisa Rathke/AP It is the first state in the country to allow terminally ill people from out of state to use medically assisted suicide. [Read More »]( [What Harm Reduction Taught Me About My Ex’s Addiction—And Myself]( By Hanna Halperin Hanna Halperin explores her own misconceptions of harm reduction when witnessing a loved one battle addiction. [Read More »]( [Your Personality Could Add Years of Healthy Living]( By Matt Fuchs Recent research shows that several personality traits predict who will enjoy health into their 80s and beyond. (Originally published in 2021.) [Read More »]( AN EXPERT VOICE If you're struggling with bad allergy symptoms, "direct therapies are the most beneficial: so nasal sprays and eye drops are the most beneficial for nasal and eye symptoms, inhalers are best for asthma symptoms, and creams are best for skin." —Dr. Michele Pham, allergist and immunologist at the University of California, San Francisco --------------------------------------------------------------- If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Alice Park and Jamie Ducharme, and edited by Mandy Oaklander. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2023 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.