Dr. Shalika Katugaha, System Director of Infectious Diseases at Baptist Health, talks about a new vaccine approved for seniors with RSV.
Interview conducted by Ivanhoe Broadcast News in 2023.
What is RSV?
KATUGAHA: RSV is a very common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold like symptoms. In most individuals, it resolves in one or two weeks. It can develop into a more severe respiratory virus, usually in those of extreme ages — infants and individuals older than 60 and 65 as well as those with a weakened immune system.
Since RSV symptoms mirror that of a common cold – is it often left untreated accidentally until it worsens?
KATUGAHA: Yes, it often happens that way. Most people resolve their symptoms and it is just a cold. It can lead to this severe disease in patients who are in a vulnerable category.
I’ve only ever heard of this condition in babies, not adults. Is it common among adults?
KATUGAHA: Adults can get RSV. In fact, RSV is responsible for around 10,000 deaths in people over 60 and 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations in that age group each year.
When an elderly individual contracts RSV, and their symptoms worsen, what does that look like?
KATUGAHA: The symptoms are just like the cold, but then they develop into progressive shortness of breath. They start off with a runny nose and sneezing. In kiddos, it’s wheezing, fever, and decreased appetite. At the beginning, you are not sure whether it is the flu, COVID, or RSV. By seeking medical attention, you can narrow down what you don’t have. Generally, there are no antiviral treatments for RSV. All you can do is wait it out and make sure that you don’t get worse. Essentially, the best course of action is prevention.
Prevention has now been made possible, is that right?
KATUGAHA: That’s exactly right. The RSV vaccine has been six decades in the making, and it is groundbreaking. The first RSV vaccine was approved by the FDA on May 3rd, and that’s the GSK vaccine. Then the Pfizer vaccine was approved May 31th by the FDA. We should have both launched before our fall RSV season.
How is this administered? Is it a one-time shot?
KATUGAHA: Yes, they are shots. Both the GSK and Pfizer vaccine are single doses. They are not live vaccines.
The world’s been in a frenzy about vaccines right now. Are there any risks in taking this shot?
KATUGAHA: Studies are ongoing because they were just approved. Both vaccines were safe and effective in studies.
Who qualifies for the shot?
KATUGAHA: Anyone over 60.
It won’t be available until the fall, is that corrrect?
KATUGAHA: We’re hoping that the GSK and Pfizer vaccines become available before the fall.
Now some people say, I’ve had five COVID shots. Now, I’ve got the shingles shot and the pneumonia shot. Is there such a thing as too many vaccines in the body?
KATUGAHA: No, your body does not get too many vaccines. In fact, vaccines are our strength and our armor; they’re what protect us. The basics of vaccines are that the body sees something foreign but not dangerous and mounts a response so that when the real bacteria or virus comes, your body knows what to do. With RSV, I’m sure there’ll be many fears because it’s the first time around. But it’s still a very beneficial vaccine for many reasons. When we hear about these tripledemics or these surges — RSV surge or COVID surge, they exhaust our health system. They result in office visits, ER visits, and hospitalizations. They result in metrics we cannot measure because we do not know which virus was responsible. We miss days of school and miss days of work. These vaccines benefit the individual and the community. I fully recommend you get your flu shot, your COVID shot, and your RSV vaccine if they are recommended for you.
Many believe that because we were isolated for two years during the pandemic, children are contracting more infectious diseases because they weren’t around people and they weren’t in the sandbox getting all dirty and germy. Is that happening with older people too? Are you seeing an increase in RSV because they were so isolated for so long?
KATUGAHA: No, but there is correctness in that statement. We had a RSV surge last year because of the lockdown and the isolation the two years before in kiddos. But the truth is that most people are exposed to RSV before age 2. The individuals who were in isolation and quarantine for the past two years who are over 60 did not experience the same surge as in children.
I have a question for you. A lot of these people have grandkids, are they at risk of RSV because the kids are at risk?
KATUGAHA: Yes, that’s actually exactly how it happens. RSV is transmitted when someone coughs or sneezes. Alot of times children are coughing, sneezing, and don’t cover their noses. Then the virus that’s shed by the coughing and sneezing can get on someone’s fingers and they infect you if they reach your mouth or nose. Another common way that people do get it, especially these older adults, is direct contact with the virus. Kissing their grandchildren is one of the exact ways they may get it.
Great to know. Does this shot have any side effects?
KATUGAHA: In clinical trials, the RSV vaccines from GSK and Pfizer were generally well tolerated. The most frequently observed side effects of both were pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, and headache.
Do you think this vaccine will have an impact?
KATUGAHA: Yes, I certainly think the RSV vaccine will have an impact. It will have an impact by preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. Hopefully, approval of a RSV vaccine in adults will lead to a RSV vaccine for children. The RSV vaccine can potenially be a game changer in terms of public health and viral epidemiology.
END OF INTERVIEW
This information is intended for additional research purposes only. It is not to be used as a prescription or advice from Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc. or any medical professional interviewed. Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the depth or accuracy of physician statements. Procedures or medicines apply to different people and medical factors; always consult your physician on medical matters.
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