Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica has approved a phased strategy to vaccinate ‘adultos mayores’ (elderly) against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a population that can also suffer serious complications from this respiratory infection.
The decision was made by the National Commission on Vaccination and Epidemiology (CNVE), as confirmed by Dr. Roberto Arroba, Immunization Coordinator and member of that technical body.
“It was agreed to approve the phased vaccination strategy against RSV for people over 60 years of age,” Arroba stated.
However, the rollout will be gradual. The first stage will focus on those over 75 years of age, while the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS) completes the economic and operational analysis for purchasing the vaccine.
According to Arroba, the CCSS must present these studies to the commission in June.
This decision expands upon the path Costa Rica began on June 2, 2015, when it started administering this vaccine to pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation.
Risk in older adults
Respiratory syncytial virus is usually associated with babies and young children. However, specialists warn that it can also severely affect older adults, especially those with chronic illnesses.
“In national hospitals, in the internal medicine department, there are many older adults hospitalized, and a significant percentage are there because of this virus,” explained Arroba.
Furthermore, the specialist pointed out that screening for this virus is not always performed in adults.
Therefore, some cases may be recorded as pneumonia or other respiratory complications without the exact cause being confirmed.
“It could end up being pneumonia, with serious long-term effects, or even death, and we never knew the reason,” he added.
Arroba indicated that the country is also seeking to strengthen surveillance through Inciensa, in order to better measure the true burden of respiratory syncytial virus in older adults.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection most commonly appear about four to six days after exposure to the virus. In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms. These may include:
- Congested or runny nose
- Dry cough
- Low-grade fever
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Headache
In severe cases
RSV infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia or bronchiolitis — inflammation of the small airway passages entering the lungs. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Severe cough
- Wheezing — a high-pitched noise that’s usually heard on breathing out (exhaling)
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing — the person may prefer to sit up rather than lie down
- Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis)
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if anyone at risk of severe RSV infection — has difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a blue color to the skin, particularly on the lips and in the nail beds.