Adult RSV immunization is key to protecting those over 60 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions

Since September last year, Spanish autonomous regions have begun vaccinating infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to prevent bronchitis in minors this winter. However, experts ask that people over 65 and those with underlying medical conditions not be ignored. Data collected in the article “Adjusting for under-case ascertainment in the burden of RSV hospitalizations among older people in high-income countries: a systematic review and modeling study” published by the University of Edinburgh shows that there are nearly 787,000 hospitalizations for RSV among people aged over 65 years in high-income countries. Crowd deaths ranged from 22,000 to 47,000.

A publication in Nature involving several epidemiology and infectious disease experts reveals an increase in hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus among older adults. In this sense, Ann Falsey, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist at Rochette General Hospital in New York, raised his own experience to warn against this issue. His father, an 80-year-old man, was hospitalized with severe breathing difficulties.When he was examined, there were initial indications that this complication was due to the heart failure he was suffering from, but after observing no improvement with treatment, Fauci asked doctors Chief of Infectious Diseases Edward Walsh

Go see his father. His diagnosis was clear: RSV.

This virus affects There are 33 million children under the age of five worldwide Per year. This graphic shows the importance of protecting this population. But as she points out, Fauci’s story “is a great example of a broader, more problematic trend in medicine. “People don’t even consider RSV a diagnosis in adults. ” That’s because the virus can cause serious problems for the pediatric population because typically as people age, their immunity increases and their airways expand.

Adult population at risk

Although it is normal for your risk of serious complications from RSV to decrease as you age, some people have: Basic conditions, such as diabetes or lung disease, which may represent a significant risk. This infection can cause very serious illness, such as pneumonia or congestive heart failure, and worsen symptoms in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The most vulnerable adults are those with chronic heart or respiratory disease, those who are immunocompromised and those over 65 years of age.

In the United States, RSV causes approximately 159,000 hospitalizations, 119,000 emergency department visits, and 1.4 million outpatient appointments in older adults each year. Inpatient mortality rates range from 6% to 8%, or 9,500 to 12,700 deaths per year.

Nature estimates that RSV causes approximately 159,000 hospitalizations, 119,000 emergency room visits, and 1.4 million outpatient appointments in older adults each year in the United States. On the other hand, inpatient mortality rates range from 6 to 8 percent, or 9,500 to 12,700 deaths per year.

In Spain, as the Spanish Federation of Allergy sufferers and Respiratory Diseases Associations (Fenaer) says, no data The annual incidence rate is accurate, although some publications indicate that RSV is the causative agent of polypneumonia in hospitalized adults during the November-March epidemic season.In fact, the latest report shows acute respiratory infection surveillance system of The Carlos III Health Institute noted that so far in the 2023-2024 season, 4,207 RSV samples have been analyzed, of which 70 were positive, five of which were in people over 65 years old..

Vaccines and screening tests

However, experts believe that the effects of RSV in adults can be greatly reduced by: recent Two new vaccines approved Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, GlaxoSmithKline’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccines are also recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for adults 60 and older.

The first vaccine was nearly 83% effective in preventing RSV infection in adults over 60 years old, and almost 95% effective in preventing RSV infection in people with underlying medical conditions. The second vaccine showed similar levels of efficacy, nearly 86% for adults over 60 years old. On the other hand, biotech company Moderna is developing an mRNA-based vaccine, while Bavarian Nordic is developing a recombinant vaccine using modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) viral vectors as a platform.

More research and study is needed on this virus and its impact on the adult population. Recommended by Nature magazine Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR) detects the virus in adults as it correctly identifies this infection in 93% of cases.In this sense, experts emphasize that The importance of raising awarenessEducate doctors and patients about the importance of protecting older adults from this virus. “If health professionals didn’t know RSV was an adult pathogen, they wouldn’t recommend the vaccine,” he said. Helen Chu, specialist in viral respiratory infections at the University of Washington.

“The important thing is that there will be vaccines available, but the key factor is whether these vaccines are recommended as part of immunization for this age group,” he concluded. Harish Nair, epidemiologist, University of Edinburgh.

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