Arexvy

Q: How effective is Arexvy at preventing RSV?

Arexvy has been shown in studies to lower the risk of developing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated lower respiratory tract disease by 82.6% and lowered the risk for severe disease by 94.1% in individuals 60 years of age and older.

Q: Will Arexvy work if I have a weak immune system?

Arexvy may not work as well if you have a weakened immune system (if you are immunosuppressed). Tell your doctor if you have a weakened immune system or are taking treatment that weakens your immune system before you receive this vaccine.

Q: What is the difference between Arexvy and Abrysvo?

Arexvy and Abrysvo are both RSV vaccines that are approved for use in adults over the age of 60 to reduce their risk of developing lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD). Abrysvo is also approved for use in pregnant women between 32 through 36 weeks gestation, to protect infants against LRTD from the moment they are born until they are 6 months of age. Arexvy is made by GSK and was approved on May 3, 2023; the first RSV vaccine to be approved for older adults. Abrysvo is made by Pfizer and was approved on May 31, 2023; the second RSV vaccine to be approved for older adults.

Q: What are the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

RSV symptoms are runny nose, sore throat, stuffy nose, cough wheezing, headache, and fever for adults and RSV symptoms in the young include decreased activity, irritability, and breathing difficulties.

Q: How many doses of Arexvy are required?

Just one shot of Arexvy into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm is needed to protect people aged 60 years of age and older against lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Q: Is Arexvy a live vaccine?

Arexvy is not a live vaccine it is a recombinant subunit vaccine that does not contain any live virus.

Q: What kind of vaccine is Arexvy?

Arexvy is an adjuvanted recombinant subunit vaccine.

Pronunciation: ah-REX-vee
Generic name: respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, adjuvanted (rsv vaccine pref3, recombinant systemic)
Dosage form: suspension for intramuscular injection
Drug class: Viral vaccines

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 12, 2024.

What is Arexvy?

Arexvy is an RSV vaccine used to prevent severe RSV symptoms in older adults aged 60 years and over, to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from RSV. Arexvy vaccine works by helping the body build an immune response (antibodies) that fights the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which helps prevent severe symptoms of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.

RSV is a common, contagious virus that can cause hospitalization and death, especially in older adults with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases. The vaccine showed 94.6% efficacy in reducing the risk of developing RSV-associated LRTD in older adults with underlying conditions, with an overall efficacy of 82.6%.

Arexvy vaccine works by inducing an immune response against the RSVpreF3 antigen, the main protein found on the surface of RSV.

Arexvy is the RSV vaccine from GSK. The Arexvy vaccine was approved on May 3, 2023, and it was the first RSV vaccine to be approved for older adults.

Arexvy Side Effects?

Common Arexvy side effects include injection site pain (61%), fatigue (tiredness) (34%), muscle aches (29%), headache (27%), and joint pain (18%).

Arexvy vaccine side effects are generally temporary and do not last long.

Warnings

Anaphylaxis

Possible anaphylactic reactions may occur. Do not administer Arexvy to anyone with a known history of a severe allergic reaction to it or any of its components. Always administer in a facility that can provide the appropriate medical treatment and supervision to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration.

Syncope (fainting)

Fainting may occur following the administration of vaccines. Procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting.

Immunosuppression

People who are immunocompromised, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to Arexvy.

Other adults, pregnancy, or lactation

Arexvy is not approved for use in persons <60 years of age. It is not approved for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Children

Arexvy is not approved for use in children.

Arexvy dosing information

Arexvy shot is usually given as a single injection into the muscle in the upper arm (deltoid muscle).

The dose is 0.5mL.

Arexvy is an adjuvanted respiratory syncytial virus vaccine that is supplied in two vials that must be reconstituted before administration.

One vial contains lyophilized recombinant respiratory syncytial virus glycoprotein F stabilized in pre-fusion conformation (RSVPreF3) as the antigen component, which must be reconstituted at the time of use with the accompanying vial of GSK’s proprietary AS01E adjuvant as the adjuvant suspension component.

Arexvy Package Insert

Review the Arexvy Prescribing Information for more detailed information about this medicine. Discuss any medical questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. This is not all the information you need to know about this medicine for safe and effective use, and it does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment.

Storage

Storage before reconstitution

Adjuvant suspension component vials and Lyophilized antigen component vials:

Store refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F).
Store in the original package in order to protect vials from light.
Do not freeze. Discard if the adjuvant suspension component has been frozen.

Storage after Reconstitution

Administer immediately or store in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) or at room temperature [up to 25°C (77°F)] for up to 4 hours prior to use.
Protect vials from light.
Discard reconstituted vaccine if not used within 4 hours.
Do not freeze. Discard if the vaccine has been frozen.

Ingredients

Arexvy active ingredient: 120 mcg of the recombinant RSVPreF3 antigen, 25 mcg of MPL, and 25 mcg of QS-21.

Arexvy inactive ingredients 14.7 mg of Trehalose, 4.4 mg of sodium chloride, 0.83 mg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.26 mg of dipotassium phosphate, 0.18 mg of polysorbate 80, 0.15 mg of disodium phosphate anhydrous, 0.5 mg of DOPC, and 0.125 mg of cholesterol.
Arexvy contains no preservative.
The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex.

Arexvy Manufacturer

Arexvy vaccine is made by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Belgium, U.S. License 1617.

Distributed by GlaxoSmithKline Durham, NC 27701.

Popular FAQ

Arexvy has been shown in studies to lower the risk of developing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated lower respiratory tract disease by 82.6% and lowered the risk for severe disease by 94.1% in individuals 60 years of age and older.

Arexvy may not work as well if you have a weakened immune system (if you are immunosuppressed). Tell your doctor if you have a weakened immune system or are taking treatment that weakens your immune system before you receive this vaccine.

What is the difference between Arexvy and Abrysvo?

Arexvy and Abrysvo are both RSV vaccines that are approved for use in adults over the age of 60 to reduce their risk of developing lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD). Abrysvo is also approved for use in pregnant women between 32 through 36 weeks gestation, to protect infants against LRTD from the moment they are born until they are 6 months of age. Arexvy is made by GSK and was approved on May 3, 2023; the first RSV vaccine to be approved for older adults. Abrysvo is made by Pfizer and was approved on May 31, 2023; the second RSV vaccine to be approved for older adults. Continue reading

What are the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

RSV symptoms are runny nose, sore throat, stuffy nose, cough
wheezing, headache, and fever for adults and RSV symptoms in the young include decreased activity, irritability, and breathing difficulties. Continue reading

How many doses of Arexvy are required?

Just one shot of Arexvy into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm is needed to protect people aged 60 years of age and older against lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Continue reading

Is Arexvy a live vaccine?

Arexvy is not a live vaccine it is a recombinant subunit vaccine that does not contain any live virus. Continue reading

What kind of vaccine is Arexvy?

Arexvy is an adjuvanted recombinant subunit vaccine. Continue reading

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