Tackling RSV: Raising awareness, driving prevention

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus and is often misunderstood to be only a childhood illness.  However, older adults and those with chronic conditions constitute a large at-risk population for serious complications from RSVs, including lower respiratory illness.  Every year, the RSV results in many older adults experiencing life-altering consequences, with estimates of 470,000 hospitalizations and 33,000 deaths in those aged 60 years and over in high-income countries, in 2019.  Despite such staggering numbers and the growing evidence indicating that RSV may compare to influenza disease, there is a significant underestimation of the disease burden in older adults.

In May 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Arexvy and Abrysvo vaccines for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) for use in adults aged 60 years and over.  Arexvy is authorized for use in Canada.  RSV vaccines help protect older adults against severe illness, with clinical trials demonstrating 82.6% efficacy in older adults and 94.6% in individuals with underlying medical conditions.  The RSV-associated morbidity and healthcare costs could be decreased substantially with the use of vaccines.

The coronavirus pandemic provided a stark reminder that vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions of our time, saving and improving the quality of lives of millions, each year.  RSV is a respiratory virus, with dire consequences on the lives of those most at risk.  With RSV being the most important cause of viral lower respiratory tract illness, it is crucial to disseminate the benefits of the newly approved vaccine for older adults and raise awareness of RSVs as a vaccine-preventable disease and encourage those most at risk to speak to their healthcare providers.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html#:~:text=Older%20adults%20are%20at%20greater,weaken%20when%20we%20are%20older.&text=Wash%20your%20hands%20often%20with,an%20alcohol%2Dbased%20hand%20sanitizer.

• Karla Renic. Health Canada just approved the first RSV vaccine for seniors. Here’s what to know [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. Available from: https://ca.style.yahoo.com/health-canada-rsv-vaccine-explainer-200418661.html?guccounter=1

• Savic M, Penders Y, Shi T, Branche A, Pirçon J. Respiratory syncytial virus disease burden in adults aged 60 years and older in high‐income countries: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2023 Jan 11;17(1).

• Government of Canada. Government of Canada. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Canadian Immunization Guide. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus.html

• Jennifer La Grassa. Health Canada approves 1st RSV vaccine for people 60 and older [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. Available from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/rsv-health-canada-vaccine-1.6928175

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. RSV Prevention. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html

• Pharrmaceutical Technology. Pharrmaceutical Technology. 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 16]. Health Canada approves GSK’s RSV vaccine for older individuals. Available from: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/canada-gsk-rsv-vaccine/

• Verwey C, Madhi SA. Review and Update of Active and Passive Immunization Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus. BioDrugs. 2023 May 25;37(3):295–309.

RSV PODCAST SERIES “TACKLING RSV: RAISING AWARENESS, DRIVING PREVENTION”  |  PART ONE

A Clinician’s Perspective with Dr. Christine Palmay.

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RSV PODCAST SERIES “TACKLING RSV: RAISING AWARENESS, DRIVING PREVENTION”  |  PART TWO

Patient Testimony

Dr Alan Kaplan | 10 November 2023
IFA #GlobalCafé |  “Tackling RSV: Raising Awareness, Driving Prevention.”

Join the IFA in promoting awareness of RSV Infection, and the importance of prevention through utilizing vaccination by learning more and sharing information throughout your networks!

This project has been supported by an unrestricted educational grant from