December 2024 – Dr. Joseph Maroon is an Advisor to St. Barnabas Health System and regular contributor to the quarterly their Faith and Works Magazine page 9.  In the 2023, issue, Dr. Maroon reminds readers of the importance of vaccines and introduction of a new vaccine for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

What is RSV?

RSV is a common virus that is often spread during holiday gatherings. It’s been known for decades and is a common cause of respiratory illness in infants and young children, as well as older adults. Many infected persons with a normal immune system have only mild symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, fever, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Symptoms develop within 4 to 6 days of exposure. RSV is primarily spread through contact with respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes and contaminated objects.

Each winter, RSV causes substantial illness in older adults, children and those with compromised immunity. A respiratory tract infection often leads to hospitalization, and even death. There are an estimated 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000 to 10,000 deaths annually due to RSV in adults 65 and older.

New Vaccines for RSV

Two RSV vaccines are now approved for adults 60 and older. These might be your Christmas life saver by providing increased immunity to this potentially life threatening infection. RSVPreF3 (Arexvy, GSK) and RSVpreF (Abrusvo, Pfizer) are vaccines that cause the immune system to produce RSV antibodies. Both are currently approved as a single dose shown to protect adults 60 and older against symptomatic lower respiratory tract disease with more than 80% efficacy.

Talk to you healthcare provider NOW and learn more about whether  this vaccine is right for you.  Have a Blessed and Healthy Season.