Take a deep breath — while you can — and get ready for another seasonal “tripledemic.”
In addition to the flu virus and a newly circulating COVID-19 variant (EG.5 or Eris), doctors are warning people about the deadly spread of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
“RSV results in around 14,000 deaths among older adults annually,” Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña, vice president of global health for Northwell Health, told The Post.
“RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1-year-old. It can result in hospitalization and even death in severe cases,” Cioè-Peña added.
“For adults over 65, RSV usually causes moderate cold-like symptoms but can also lead to severe respiratory illness, exacerbated underlying conditions and death.”
Vaccine for RSV
The good news is that there are two FDA-approved vaccines for RSV that are now available for adults over the age of 60, one of which is also approved for pregnant women to shield their newborns from RSV.
The bad news is that nearly half of older adults don’t know about the new RSV vaccines, and among those who do, there’s some hesitancy about getting another vaccine.
“This is a huge concern,” Cioè-Peña said when asked about vaccine hesitancy. “Misinformation is causing people to defer or skip vaccinations that can prevent disease, disability and even death.”
His concerns are supported by a new survey of older adults from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, which revealed that only 52% were aware of the RSV vaccine, while just 41% of those who said their health is fair or poor had heard of it.
And of those who’ve heard about the RSV vaccine, only 21% of them said they’re “very interested” in getting the shot.
“As we prepare for the first RSV season when a vaccine will be available for older adults, these early data suggest a need for public health officials, primary care providers, pharmacies and others to target their outreach,” said Dr. Preeti Malani of Michigan Medicine.
RSV infections of the lungs and airways send up to 160,000 older adults to the hospital each year, at an annual cost of more than $1.3 billion, according to the Michigan Medicine report.
Tripledemic 2023
In addition to RSV, the seasonal spike in flu and COVID-19 infections could create “tripledemic” conditions that can easily overwhelm emergency rooms, clinics and other health-care providers.
“I think with the increase in the new COVID variant, seeing surges in flu, RSV and COVID simultaneously is certainly possible,” said Cioè-Peña. “Seeing surges in all three will strain doctors offices and hospitals.
“These vaccines are game-changers,” Cioè-Peña added. “Don’t wait until it’s too late and you are already seriously sick with one of these respiratory viruses to wish that you or your loved one got vaccinated.
“I see it all too often in the emergency department when I need to admit someone to the hospital with a severe respiratory infection that was vaccine-preventable,” he said.