Vaccination best way to prevent spread of RSV – medical expert

A medical expert has encouraged the public to prioritize vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as peak season for infections approaches.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Philippine College of Chest Physicians Council on Health Informatics and Social Media chairperson Gwen Dy-Agra said that RSV is a common respiratory virus that often causes hospitalization in children under 2 years old and adults with comorbidities.

“RSV symptoms such as runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing may appear within 4-6 days after exposure. It is spread through respiratory droplets,” Agra said.

While there is limited data on Philippine infection rates, Agra noted that positivity rates range from 20% to 60% during the peak season of May to December.

To prevent the spread of RSV, Agra said that vaccination is the “best step forward.”

“Vaccination is administered to avoid severe RSV infection, especially since there is no treatment available. This is our best form of protection against severe illness and complications, including mortality… Vaccines are one of the most useful tools in modern medicine to prevent diseases. By strengthening the immune system to recognize and fight diseases, it can prevent the illness before it starts and reduce the severity of the disease,” she said. 

“Since infants are at high risk to get the disease, pregnant women in their 3rd trimester are advised to get the RSV vaccine so they could pass on the antibodies… Some guidelines recommend a single dose of the RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 years and older,” Agra added.

RSV vaccines are only available through a private setting and as an out-of-pocket expense for the patient.

“[The government only gives] basic hospitalization benefits and access to supportive treatment, not exclusive for RSV alone… The financial burden would then be attributed to patients who get hospitalized due to a complicated course of RSV illness,” Agra said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News