A new vaccine 50 years in the making is set to be a shot in the arm for older Kiwis against RSV

The disease is a common and highly contagious respiratory virus, which causes cold and flu-like symptoms.

While it's often considered to mainly impact children, adults 60 and over are also at risk, especially those with health conditions like asthma and heart disease.

GSK medical director Brett Marett says the overall trial efficacy rate is at around 82-percent.

However he says in those adults with comorbidities, the efficacy rate related to respiratory diseases related to RSV is at around 94 percent.