Respiratory syncytial virus vial.
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Vaccinating a million adults ages 65 and above with a single RSV shot from Pfizer or GSK may prevent hundreds of hospitalizations over two seasons of the virus, based on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluation.
A CDC medical officer presented the evaluation, conducted by researchers on the University of Michigan, at an advisory committee meeting on Wednesday. The committee beneficial that adults ages 60 and older may receive one dose of Pfizer’s or GSK’s respiratory syncytial virus shot after consulting their doctor.
The evaluation found that vaccinating a million adults 65 and older with a single dose of Pfizer’s shot may prevent 2,500 hospitalizations and 25,000 outpatient visits over two seasons of the virus.
RSV season typically lasts from October to March within the Northern Hemisphere.
The evaluation also found that vaccinating a million adults in the identical age group with one dose of GSK’s shot may prevent roughly 2,300 hospitalizations and 23,000 outpatient visits.
The estimated variety of prevented outcomes is lower for adults ages 60 to 64, based on the CDC medical officer, Dr. Michael Melgar. He said that is because there’s “less existing RSV disease” in that group for the vaccine to forestall.
The evaluation further supports the efficacy of every newly approved shot in stopping RSV, a typical respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms in most individuals but more severe infections in seniors and kids.
Every year, RSV hospitalizes 60,000 to 160,000 older adults and kills 6,000 to 10,000, based on CDC data.
Pfizer and GSK on Wednesday each presented longer-term efficacy data on the meeting, which suggested that their shots generally maintain some protection against RSV after one season of the virus.
The evaluation also suggests that the shots could reduce the burden of RSV on hospitals in the autumn, when multiple respiratory viruses often begin to spread at high levels.
Last 12 months, cases of RSV – together with Covid and the flu – in children and older adults overwhelmed hospitals across the nation.