mRESVIA

Pronunciation: em-res’-vee-ah
Generic name: respiratory syncytial virus vaccine
Dosage form: prefilled syringe for intramuscular use
Drug class: Viral vaccines

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 4, 2024.

What is mRESVIA?

mRESVIA is an injectable intramuscular vaccine that may be used to immunize adults aged 60 years and older against lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is given as a single injection, usually into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.

mRESVIA is a modified RNA vaccine that encodes for the RSV F glycoprotein which induces an immune response and the formation of antibodies against RSV pre-F protein which protects against severe symptoms of LRTD caused by RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. It can cause severe disease (pneumonia, hospitalization, and death) in young infants and older adults due to age-related declining immunity and/or underlying conditions. The CDC recommends the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine (RSV vaccine) vaccine for infants, toddlers, and adults 60 years and older as they are most at risk of getting very sick with RSV. Vaccination may not protect everybody who receives the vaccine.

mRESVIA was FDA approved on 31 May 2024 and is the third vaccine to be approved for RSV, and the only modified RNA vaccine. The other 2 RSV vaccines are Arexvy (approved for pregnant women and adults aged 60 and older) and Abrysvo (only approved for adults aged 60 and older).

mRESVIA side effects

The most common side effects of mRESVIA affecting 10% or more people who receive it include:

Injection site pain (55.9%)
Fatigue/tiredness (30.8%)
Headache (26.7%)
Muscle pain (25.6%)
Joint pain (21.7%)
Underarm swelling or tenderness (15.2%)
Chills (11.6%).

Other, less common side effects include nausea or vomiting, fever, hives, and facial paralysis.

Most side effects got better within 24 to 48 hours.

These may not be all of the possible side effects of mRESVIA. Ask your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you. You may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967 (or https://vaers.hhs.gov) or contact ModernaTX, Inc. at 1-866-663-3762.

Warnings

You should not get mRESVIA if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccination (see ingredients below). There is a very small chance that mRESVIA could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose. For this reason, your healthcare provider may ask you to stay for a short time at the place where you received your vaccine and where appropriate medical treatment is available. Signs of a severe allergic reaction may include:

Difficulty breathing
Swelling of your face and throat
A fast heartbeat
A rash all over your body
Dizziness and weakness.

Syncope (fainting) may occur in association with the administration of vaccines such as mRESVIA. Ask your healthcare provider if you can lie down if you are prone to fainting after a vaccination.

People who are immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have less of an immune response to mRESVIA.

mRESVIA is for people 60 years of age and older. It should not be given to younger people or pregnant women.

mRESVIA does not contain RSV and cannot give you lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.

Before taking

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have any allergies
had a severe allergic reaction after receiving a previous dose of any other vaccine
have a fever
have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
have received any other RSV vaccine
have ever fainted in association with an injection
are under the age of 60.

mRESVIA is not approved for use during pregnancy.

Read the FDA-approved patient labeling information for recipients and caregivers before receiving mRESVIA. If you would like more information, talk to your healthcare provider, or visit mRESVIA.com or call 1-866-MODERNA (1-866-663-3762).

How is mRESVIA administered?

mRESVIA is given as an injection into the muscle, usually the deltoid muscle of the outer, upper arm.

The dose is 0.5 mL.

Because of the small risk of an allergic reaction occurring, you may be asked to stay for a short time at the place where you received your vaccine and where appropriate medical treatment is available.

mRESVIA ingredients

Active: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that encodes for the RSV F glycoprotein

Inactive: lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol dimyristoyl glycerol [PEG2000-DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2- distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate, sucrose, water

mRESVIA does not contain a preservative.