EMA's Green Light: GSK's Arexvy Poised To Reach All Adults 18+ Across Europe

GSK has received encouraging backing from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which has recommended expanding the accessibility of its adjuvanted recombinant respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, Arexvy, to encompass the broader adult population aged 18 and above. The European Commission is anticipated to deliver its final determination in February 2026, potentially opening the door to significantly wider patient access.

From Restricted Access To Population-Wide Availability

Previously, Arexvy’s authorization in Europe was confined to a more limited demographic—specifically those aged 60 and older, alongside individuals between 50-59 facing elevated risk factors. The positive recommendation from CHMP signals a pivotal shift in how GSK’s RSV vaccine could be positioned across the continent. Should the Commission grant approval as expected, the therapeutic landscape for RSV prevention would transform considerably.

The Global RSV Burden: Why Expanded Access Matters

Respiratory syncytial virus affects an estimated 64 million individuals worldwide annually, irrespective of age demographics. Beyond causing routine respiratory discomfort, RSV carries the potential to trigger severe complications in vulnerable populations—hospitalization and mortality remain documented outcomes. The virus particularly threatens those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. An expanded indication would enable broader protective coverage across diverse age groups, potentially mitigating these risks on a larger scale.

Arexvy’s Development Trajectory And Market Expansion Plans

Since becoming Europe’s inaugural RSV vaccine for preventing lower respiratory tract disease, Arexvy has established itself as a significant advancement in immunization strategy. GSK is simultaneously pursuing indication expansions in additional markets, notably the United States and Japan, signaling the company’s confidence in the vaccine’s broader applicability beyond current geographic and demographic boundaries.

This regulatory momentum underscores the growing clinical recognition that RSV protection may benefit populations considerably younger than previously anticipated.