China Approves AstraZeneca, Sanofi Shot to Prevent RSV Infection

(Bloomberg) — China approved a vaccine co-developed by AstraZeneca Plc. and Sanofi S.A. to ward off respiratory syncytial virus in infants, a first in the nation to thwart the highly contagious and potentially fatal infection.

The National Medical Products Administration cleared the long-acting monoclonal antibody Beyfortus to prevent RSV infections in newborns, Astra said in a statement Tuesday. While RSV has been circulating in China for months, the shot isn’t expected to be available until the 2024-2025 season, the company said.