It’s official: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of vaccines to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in seniors. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has given the green light for RSV vaccines to be administered to adults over the age of 65.
But what exactly is RSV? It’s a common virus that usually causes mild flu-like symptoms, but for young infants and older adults, it can lead to severe cases that require hospitalization. In fact, RSV is responsible for an estimated 14,000 deaths in adults aged 65 and older in the United States every year.
That’s where the new RSV vaccines from Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) come in. These vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in older adults to prevent RSV infections, and data presented during the meeting found that they provide strong protection of more than 80 percent.
But wait, there’s more! The ACIP also voted in favor of allowing individual adults between the ages of 60 and 64 to receive an RSV vaccine with “clinical decision making,” meaning they would discuss their need for such an immunization with their healthcare provider.
So, what’s the catch? Well, representatives from GSK have said that their RSV vaccine will be priced between $200 and $295, while Pfizer has given a price range of $180 to $270 for their vaccine. But hey, can you really put a price on preventing a potentially life-threatening virus?
And if you’re worried about getting the vaccine alongside your annual flu shot, fear not – the studies presented by the companies indicated that the RSV vaccines can be safely administered alongside common flu vaccines.
So say goodbye to RSV and hello to a healthier future with these new vaccines. It’s time to protect our seniors and ensure that they can live their lives to the fullest without the fear of a preventable virus.
References
- https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4011132-fda-advisory-panel-votes-in-favor-of-pfizer-rsv-vaccine/
- https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4041416-fda-panel-unanimously-votes-favor-rsv-antibody-treatment-infants/
- https://thehill.com
