From what age should seniors be vaccinated? Recommendations from the High Authority of Health

The 2024-2025 winter season is already being prepared. With the return of cooler temperatures, a threat looms over the health of infants: bronchiolitis. This acute respiratory infection occurs in the form of a seasonal epidemic. It generally begins in mid-October and lasts until the end of winter. Bronchiolitis is mainly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and affects 30% of babies under two years of age in France. The virus is transmitted through saliva, sneezing, coughing and hands.

One of the problems with bronchiolitis is that its symptoms do not always manifest themselves, at least in adults. The patient can simply present the signs of a mild cold
with a slight cough or feeling perfectly fine. Also, he can, without realizing it, transmit the virus to fragile subjects such as newborns.

Protect yourself from an epidemic of bronchiolitis

If vaccination is already recommended for infants, there is two treatments helping to reduce the risk of infection in toddlers. Since fall 2023, the preventive drug nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) has prevented respiratory syncytial virus from infecting their bodies. In addition, it has been possible to administer a vaccine during pregnancy directly to the mother since September 2024.

Like babies, elderly people
can develop severe forms of bronchiolitis. The latter result in an acute respiratory distress syndrome, a worsening of cardiopulmonary disease or even the appearance of pneumonia.

A vaccination against expanded bronchiolitis

Last July, the High Authority for Health (HAS) updated its recommendations. It is now extending seasonal vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus to people of
75 years and over. “The HAS considers that the Arexvy vaccine and the Abrysvo vaccine can be used within the framework of this recommendation. In addition, the HAS recommends vaccination in subjects aged 65 and over with chronic respiratory pathologies (particularly COPD) or heart disease. (particularly heart failure) likely to decompensate during RSV infection”announced the HAS.

The independent public authority reported that “le
vaccin Arexvy may be administered concomitantly with inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines (standard dose unadjuvanted, high dose unadjuvanted, or standard dose adjuvanted), and Abrysvo vaccine with seasonal influenza vaccine (tetravalent vaccine, surface antigen , inactivated, with adjuvant)”.