RSV vaccine for older Canadians comes at a cost. Why experts are worried

globalnews.ca:

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is now available for older Canadians, experts worry that because many have to pay out of pocket for the shot, it’s a barrier that could lead to otherwise preventable hospitalization and even death this cold and flu season.RSV is a severe and highly-contagious respiratory virus, especially for younger children and older adults. The virus typically surges in the late fall and lasts until spring, and in order to reduce the spread, proper access to vaccination paired with public awareness about the virus may help, according to a report published Wednesday by the National Institute on Aging (NIA).“Respiratory syncytial virus is actually a very common virus.

Whenever we have cold and flu season, it’s one of the main causes why people end up in hospital and it causes a significant number of deaths every year,” warned Dr. Samir Sinha, co-author of the report and the director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and the University Health Network in Toronto.“So, while RSV certainly can cause hospitalizations in younger people, it really is older Canadians that actually bear the real brunt of this and represent over 80 per cent of the deaths that happen from this virus every year,” he added.On Aug.

4, Health Canada approved the first vaccine for RSV for adults aged 60 and over. The vaccine called Arexvy, made by drug company GSK, has been shown to be 82-per cent effective at preventing lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.The vaccine is not available yet but is scheduled to roll out sometime in October.