Seven scientific societies recommend RSV vaccination in adults.
MADRID, November 22 (EUROPE PRESS) –
Seven scientific societies have submitted a document recommending vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for adults over 75 years of age, people admitted to hospitals or short-term or intermediate-stay care centers with a high frailty index, and adults aged 60 years. – 74 years of age at highest risk of severe RSV disease, considering all persons with severe lung or heart disease or immunocompromised health.
“Vaccination against RSV is clearly an important tool for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this virus. This position paper provides clear, evidence-based recommendations for implementing vaccination programs that protect our populations. Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG) Pilar Rodriguez explained during a “webinar” where the text was presented.
The “Multi-Social Position Paper on Vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Adults” is a joint activity coordinated by the Working Group “Public Health 2.0” of the Spanish Society of General Practitioners and Family Physicians (SEMG) and experts from the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians. help (SEMERGEN); Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC); Spanish Society of Clinical, Family and Community Pharmacy (SEFAC); Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR); Group Respiratory Primary Care (GRAP) and National Association of Nurses and Vaccines (ANENVAC).
The goal of the work is to help healthcare professionals make decisions in daily clinical practice through the implementation of effective preventive measures such as vaccination and continuity of other measures such as hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment to combat RSV. infections.
In particular, the document was attended by 24 specialists, where they explain that RSV infection is the second leading cause of death from lower respiratory tract respiratory infections at all ages and has a high incidence in adults over 70 years of age with increased incidence. susceptibility with age, due to deterioration of the immune system and the presence of concomitant diseases.
In Spain, the rate of hospitalization for severe lower respiratory tract infections due to RSV is three times higher than that for influenza, with those over 80 years of age requiring the most hospitalization (26.7%). Half of patients hospitalized for RSV infection have one or more chronic illnesses, with severity ranging from 20 percent to pneumonia, 10.2 percent to intensive care units, and 99 percent to death. The overall mortality rate for RSV in hospitalized cases is 3.5-4 percent, which is higher than for influenza, with the group of people over 80 years of age having the highest mortality rate (9.6%), following the group 65-79 years of age. summer group with 4.5 percent.
For this reason, experts note that RSV infection is an “important public health problem with a major impact on morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization costs,” making “this disease no longer a serious illness in children, it will also have to be considered important health problem for older people.
Currently, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved three vaccines: VRSPreF3 OA (Abrysvo), VRSpreF (AREXVY) and mMRNA-1345 (MmRESVIA), which have demonstrated effectiveness in the prevention of symptomatic lower respiratory tract diseases . RSV-associated tract infection (RSV-RTRI) and demonstrated a reactogenicity profile in all studies. and security, with no obvious security issues.
Thus, the document emphasizes that the RSV vaccines currently approved for active immunization are indicated for older adults, and the vaccination policy has been formulated “based on sound scientific evidence and in collaboration with renowned health organizations,” emphasizing the importance of vaccination. immunization as a key preventive public health tool.
PRESENTATION TO THE MINISTRY
After submitting the document, the societies will forward it to the Ministry of Health in order to include vaccination against RSV in adults in the official vaccination calendar. “We hope that these vaccines will be included in the calendar soon. We currently have two vaccines that are marketed for adults and can be purchased with a doctor’s prescription so that high-risk patients can benefit from them,” he said. Head of the SEMG Andalusia Working Group on Public Health and Vaccines Leticia Romero.
“We know that the most powerful and effective preventive measure is vaccines, in which case the RSV vaccine is as important or more important than, for example, the flu vaccine, and we believe it should already be included in the national national program. vaccination schedule,” added José Carlos López, President of GRAP.
In addition, the document states that the RSV vaccine can be administered to adults at any time of the year, but it will have a greater effect if it is administered during the normal period of RSV circulation, which in Spain coincides with autumn and winter.
Currently, the US CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends one dose of RSV vaccine for eligible adults, and for those who have already received the vaccine, they should not receive another dose. One dose will provide protection for at least two seasons.