Protection against respiratory diseases: Medical associations recommend new RSV vaccination
New protection against severe respiratory diseases: Experts from eleven medical societies and institutions—including researchers from the German Center for Infection Research—are now calling on people over the age of 60 with pre-existing conditions in particular to be vaccinated against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). In a joint position paper, it is stated: "RSV infections not only endanger newborns, infants and young children, but can also trigger severe courses of disease and complications of pre-existing diseases in older adults and those with pre-existing conditions."
For the first time ever, two vaccines against the RS virus have now been approved in the European Union. The concrete recommendation: "In particular, we recommend vaccination for adults with significantly impaired immune defences or severe pre-existing lung and cardiovascular diseases," says co-author Professor Wolfram Windisch, President of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP), under whose leadership the recommendation paper was written.
RSV infections are particularly common in the winter months. "In hospitals, we see a similar burden of disease and mortality as with pneumonia after influenza or pneumococcal infections. People with malignant blood cancers such as leukaemia or multiple myeloma are also particularly at risk," explains Professor Martin Witzenrath, lead author of the new position paper and Director of the Clinic for Pneumology, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. He also warns of the risk of severe secondary diseases that can be triggered by an RSV infection.
After the pandemic: RSV disease much more frequent—often undetected
A recent study shows that RSV illnesses are much more common, especially after the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. "However, these illnesses are not new and were already common before COVID-19. However, detection by means of an additional laboratory test is complex," says Witzenrath. As a result, general practitioners only rarely initiate such tests, and a sufficiently sensitive rapid test for medical practices is not available yet. "That is why the proportion of undiagnosed viral infections in the population is quite high—often this can be based on an RSV disease, which usually remains undetected in routine clinical practice, even in hospitals."
RSV vaccination now approved in the EU—check cost coverage
This year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has for the first time approved two vaccines for use in the EU that are already available in pharmacies. As the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) has not yet issued a recommendation for Germany, the costs are generally to be borne privately. However, the costs can also be claimed individually from the relevant health insurance company. As a general rule, it is always advisable to first seek advice from your own family doctor.
Source and further information
Press office of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) (German only)
