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On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the RSV vaccine for seniors, meaning those 60 years of age or older, will be available this fall.
However, they also advised that people should consult their physicians first before going ahead with vaccination.
GSK and Pfizer RSV vaccine approved
According to US health officials, a newly approved RSV vaccine for seniors from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Pfizer is expected to be ready during the fall along with updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
These vaccines will be given using shared clinical decision making, which means that people will receive a single injection of the vaccine based on a consultation with their doctors about whether the vaccine is safe for them.
What is respiratory syncytial infection?
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) leads to infection of the respiratory tract and lungs and is common among the elderly and children. It often causes mild cold-like symptoms, but in severe cases, the symptoms can be very serious, if not treated in time.
RSV is also one of the most common causes of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and can cause infection in infants 12 months of age or younger, especially premature babies and older adults with lung and heart problems. Respiratory syncytial virus can also affect people with weakened immune systems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year respiratory syncytial virus causes 6,000 to 10,000 deaths among the elderly.
Symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus
Symptoms of RSV in newborns
Symptoms of RSV in newborns are very serious and often appear 5-6 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include:
- severe cough
- Unusual breathing
- difficulty breathing
- lethargy
- irritability
- Fever
- Difficulty feeding
- Runny nose
- wheezing and sneezing
- Source
Symptoms of RSV in adults and the elderly
Symptoms of RSV in adults and the elderly are very common.
They include a dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, fever, severe headache, sneezing, sore throat, and chills. However, in severe cases, the infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract and may lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
The main symptoms of a serious RSV infection may include:
- Difficulty or rapid breathing
- severe cough
- High temperature
- Changes in skin color due to lack of oxygen
How long have you been contagious with RSV?
Most infected people are usually contagious for 4-8 days and may be infected a day or two before they start noticing signs and symptoms.
However, infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to transmit the virus for four weeks or longer and even when they stop experiencing symptoms.
Is the Pfizer RSV vaccine safe during pregnancy?
Yes, the Pfizer RSV vaccine is safe for pregnant women and is recommended by the FDA as a tool to protect newborns from the disease. That’s because newborns and the elderly are more likely to be infected with RSV than others.
A Pfizer study also showed that the RSV vaccine is 82% effective in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children from birth to three months of age.
GSK and Pfizer vaccine: the first RSV vaccine licensed for seniors in the United States
According to the CDC, both vaccines are the first licensed in the United States that will protect older adults from the risks of RSV.
Health officials believe these vaccines will protect older adults from severe symptoms of RSV, especially at a time when the spread of respiratory and other infections is expected.
However, the RSV vaccine should only be given to the elderly after proper consultation with a healthcare provider.
The CDC has advised that doctors should be consulted first to determine if the RSV vaccine for seniors is safe for their health condition.
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