Doctors โคConfirm RSV Vaccine Safety, Weigh Risks for Healthyโฃ Seniors
Newโฃ York, NY – As millionsโ of Americans become eligible for the newly approved Respiratoryโค Syncytial โขVirus (RSV) vaccine, medical experts are reinforcing its overall safety whileโ emphasizing the importance โฃof individualized risk assessment, particularly for those over 60. While broadly recommended, doctors are clarifyingโ who stands too benefit most and advising healthy seniorsโ to discuss vaccination with their healthcareโฃ providers.
The RSV vaccine has been deemed “very safe” based on clinical trial data,โค according toโค Dr. Amesh Adalja,โ with the risk-benefit โratio โclearly favoring vaccinationโค for approved groups. This comes as health officials anticipate a โฃsignificant impactโฃ on reducing severe โฃillness, hospitalization, and death from RSV, a common respiratory โคvirus that can be particularlyโ dangerous for older adults and infants.
Dr. Gregory Schaffner echoed this โsentiment, โฃstating simply, “The โvaccine is safe,” and noting that he and his โwife have โboth received it. However, Dr. Peter Russo โemphasized that theโ decision to โvaccinate should be based on individual health status. “ThereS little question that if your 60 andโ olderโค and you have significant underlying cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, โฃor other significant comorbidities, the benefits of vaccination really outweigh any potential risks,” he said. “Those people should get vaccinated. RSV can โbe as deadly as influenza.”
For individuals who are “perfectly healthy” and over 60, โDr. Russo recommendsโ a conversation with their doctor to โdetermine if vaccination is appropriate. “Certainly in high-risk groups, there’s little question where the benefit exceeds aโ potential and ill-defined โคrisk,” he added.
The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) advises against receiving the โRSV vaccineโ if a person has experienced a severe โคallergic reaction to any of its components. Individuals with concerns about โpotential allergies are encouraged to โreview the ingredient lists for each of the available vaccines.
Ultimately, doctorsโ stress that personalized โคguidance is key. Anyoneโ unsure whether the RSV vaccine is right for them shouldโ consult with their โฃhealthcare provider.