Adult RSV Vaccines: Q&A With the CDC's
Dr Michael Melgar

Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines in the United States for older adults. Adults aged 60 years or older may get an RSV vaccine after discussion with their healthcare provider according to recommendations from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee. Medscape Medical News spoke with Michael Melgar, MD, with the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, about what these recommendations mean, who may benefit from RSV vaccine, and when these vaccines will become available.

What do doctors need to know about RSV and its symptoms?

RSV is a common respiratory viral illness that generally causes mild cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in 1 or 2 week. However, RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. Although it's a common cause of pneumonia and respiratory disease in adults, RSV is often underrecognized in this age group.

It's important to note that RSV can be difficult to differentiate from COVID-19 or from influenza in adults just on the basis of symptoms. Infection with RSV can also trigger worsening of some medical conditions that are common in adults, like asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).