HJAR Nov/Dec 2023

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  NOV / DEC 2023 45 Jennifer Dillaha, MD Director Arkansas Department of Health or who are entering their first RSV season. The RSV season in Arkansas typically runs from October through the end of March. The CDC also recommends a single dose of nirsevimab for infants and children ages 8-19 months as they enter their second RSV season if they are at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Conditions that may increase risk are chronic lung disease of prematu- rity, severe immunocompromise, and cystic fibrosis. Nirsevimab is not recommended for most infants who are born to mothers who received the RSV vaccine during their pregnancy. Many people may not be aware of RSV as a cause of illness, especially among older adults, or that the vaccines have recently become available. According to a recent sur- vey from the University of Michigan and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly half of adults ages 60-80 have not yet heard about the new vaccines. Therefore, ADH encourages healthcare pro- viders to have a conversation with their pa- tients who are eligible for the vaccines or parents of eligible children. For thoseArkansans who are not eligible for these new RSV vaccines, the Arkansas Department of Health would like to remind everyone that RSV is spread through direct contact with droplets from coughing or sneezing by an infected person. It can also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching your own face. Hand washing is an important way to avoid getting RSV. And, of course, ADH encourages all Arkansans to stay home when they are sick to avoid spreading illnesses to others. n REFERENCES Karron, R.A. “RSV Illness in the Young and the Old — The Beginning of the End?” The New England Journal of Medicine. April 5, 2023. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/ NEJMe2302646?articleTools=true Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Re- spiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunizations.” Last reviewed Aug. 30, 2023. https://www.cdc . gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Re- spiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) VIS: RSV Vaccine: What You Need to Know.” Vaccine information statement. Last reviewed July 24, 2023. https:// www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/ rsv.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “CDC recommends new vaccine to help protect babies against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness after birth.” Press release. Sept. 22, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/ p0922-RSV-maternal-vaccine.html Gavin, K. “Many older adults want RSV vaccine, but levels of awareness, interest vary by age, health.” Michigan News, University of Michigan. Aug. 24, 2023. https://news.umich.edu/many- older-adults-want-rsv-vaccine-but-levels-of- awareness-interest-vary-by-age-health/ RSVPreF3 (Arexvy) and RSVpreF (ABRYS- VO), which are available for older adults at increased risk for severe illness. Underlying medical conditions that increase risk include but are not limited to lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, blood disorders, and mod- erate or severe immunocompromise. Other factors that are associated with increased risk are frailty, advanced age, or residence in a nursing home or long-term care facility. There may be other factors that a health- care provider determines might increase risk. According to CDC recommendation, adults ages 60 years and older may receive a single dose of either RSV vaccine using shared clinical decision-making with their healthcare provider. In addition, RSVpreF (ABRYSVO), is now recommended for preg- nant women during weeks 26 through 32 of pregnancy to protect their babies after birth during their first six months of life. There is also a new long-lasting mono- clonal antibody, nirsevimab (Beyfortus), for infants and young children that provides passive immunization against RSV. This immunization is being treated as a vaccine under the federal Vaccines for Children program. The CDC recommends a single dose of nirsevimab for all infants less than eight months of age who are born during “During the past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three new immunizations against RSV, and CDC has since recommended them for use in the U.S. These immunizations include two vaccines ..., which are available for older adults at increased risk for severe illness.”