why is it not only children who need to be vaccinated to avoid the hospital?

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Every year, as the winter season approaches, RSV, a highly contagious respiratory virus, circulates and is responsible for numerous contaminations of varying intensity.

Who are the most vulnerable to a severe form that can lead to bronchiolitis with hospitalization ? Infants, but also… seniors.

In France, during the 2022-2023 season, those over 75 represented 61% of hospitalizations and 78% of deaths linked to RSV. Because yes, the virus can cause serious complications, some of which can lead to death. Among these: acute respiratory distress or even pneumonia requiring the patient to be placed on respiratory assistance.

According to the latest Public Health France bulletin of November 6, Île-de-France is currently at epidemic alert level, Hauts-de-France and Brittany at pre-epidemic level.

A greater risk for whom?

The virus can also aggravate an existing pathology in people with heart or lung conditions or chronic respiratory problems such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), with an even greater risk of hospitalization and death.

It was observed that, among patients hospitalized for a respiratory infection linked to RSV, there was a comorbidity factor in 78.6% of cases. The risks of hospitalization among seniors with this type of illness are 9 times higher than the average, and the risks of death 6 times higher.

Two vaccines against RSV

To deal with this situation and prevent the risk of complications among seniors as winter approaches, the High Authority for Health (HAS) now recommends being vaccinated using the Arexvy (GSK group) and Abrysvo (Pfiszer) vaccines. ) whose marketing has recently been authorized. For this, it was based on the data from the tests carried out, which made it possible to observe a significant reduction in respiratory tract infections after injection: 83% on average for Arexvy and 67 to 86% for Abrysvo.

These two vaccines are available in public and private health establishments, as well as city pharmacies. They are issued strictly on medical prescription, but are not yet reimbursed for seniors, unlike infants and pregnant women. They only require one injection.

Recommendations

The official recommendations? A vaccination for people aged 75 and over, as well as for people aged 65 and over with heart disease or chronic respiratory pathology.

It is the attending physician or other healthcare professional who will recommend one or the other vaccine. Vaccination can absolutely be carried out at the same time as that against seasonal flu.

APEI-News. Cécile Desbrun

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