Respiratory diseases can be dangerous for older people and people with previous illnesses – STIKO recommends the RSV vaccination for these groups of people.
Berlin – With the wet and cold season, the risk of infectious diseases increases again, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Virus can cause severe symptoms in the respiratory tract have as a consequence. The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) advises all adults aged 75 and over and people at risk aged 60 and over to be vaccinated. Health insurance companies have been covering the costs of the RSV vaccination for these groups of people since October.
RSV vaccination: health insurance benefit for people aged 70 and over and risk groups aged 60 and over
Stiko recommends that people receive a single vaccination before the RSV season as a standard vaccination with the active ingredients Arexvy and Abrysvo, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in a published statement. The RSV season usually lasts from October to March.
The aim is to reduce respiratory infections with RS viruses in people aged 75 and over and in people aged 60 and over who have a significantly increased risk of a severe course. Such as people with serious underlying illnesses. These include:
- Chronic diseases of the respiratory system
- Cardiovascular and kidney diseases
- Certain tumor diseases
- Chronic neurological and neuromuscular diseases
- Diabetes mellitus with complications
- Severe immune deficiency (immune deficiency)
The recommendation also applies to 60-year-olds who are in care facilities.
Infants at risk: STIKO recommends immunization for newborns
Infants are particularly at risk. Newborns’ lungs are still sensitive and underdeveloped. This means the virus can spread more quickly into the respiratory tract and cause severe symptoms. That is why STIKO recommends passive immunization of newborns and infants. A single injection with the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus; Sanofi) during the first RSV season protects the child from the virus.
RS virus: vaccination recommendation for late summer and autumn
According to the RKI, the RSV vaccination for adults is not an annual vaccination. No statement can yet be made about the need for revaccinations. The RSV vaccination can administered at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccination become. For optimal protection during the RSV season, vaccination should take place in late summer or autumn. In most cases, young and healthy people get a mild cold when infected with the RS virus. (dpa/hk)
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