New RSV vaccine offers protection for the community

By Dr Jenni Koch

Winter seems to have arrived in a rush this year. We are having frosty mornings while heaters are working away and beanies and puffer jackets are about.

Winter illnesses on the rise: coughs and colds are more common. We are familiar with the viruses: Rhinovirus, Influenza, Covid-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Measles and Meningococcal infections have been in the news too.

This year we are already seeing cases rising in Deloraine & Westbury. For most people their illness is mild. For other people these illnesses are severe and can be life-changing. 

There are many things that help keep us as healthy as we can be:

• Eating fresh and healthy foods including vegetables and fruit each day, 
• getting enough sleep, 
• keeping our bodies as active as they can be, 
• spending time outdoors and managing our stress. 

These can get harder to do in winter when we need them most! 

Sadly antibiotics have no impact on viruses and their overuse can cause problems too – so we avoid them if at all possible. 

Vaccination can help limit illness in the community, it limits how sick we get and how long we are sick for. Vaccination can help us protect those we love. 

The most vulnerable ages are :

• Babies and children under 5 years old and 
• Those over 65 years old.
• Others are vulnerable due to chronic diseases like heart and lung disease and diabetes. People with cancer and pregnant women also need more protection. 

There are other reasons to vaccinate, and a few times to avoid it, so discussion with your Healthcare Professional is helpful.

The National Immunisation Program provides Vaccination guidelines for Doctors, Nurses and Pharmacists. Your General Practitioner can give you advice about what plan is best for your health situation. This advice can cover Travel Health and specific vaccinations that relate to other parts of the World.

This year there is new vaccination available for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This is a very exciting development! Pregnant women are able to be vaccinated to protect their unborn baby from RSV. Similar to Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccination is done during pregnancy. 

These two illnesses are dangerous for little babies and are common reasons for their hospitalisation along with Influenza. Babies are reliant on their Mothers passing along immune protection before they are born and then in breast milk. After 6 weeks they can start their vaccinations. For RSV there will be a short-term catchup program for vulnerable babies whose mothers were not vaccinated.

It is nearly 12 months exactly since my little grandson was in the Launceston General Hospital with RSV at just a few weeks old. It was an anxious time for all and I am grateful for the care he received. Hopefully fewer and fewer babies will be in his position. 

Vaccination helps across your life – from protecting unborn babies, limiting childhood illnesses, preventing cervical cancer, for travel protection and for those immunosuppressed, older and their carers. 

Access to vaccination can be at your local medical centre, at local pharmacies (for over 5 year olds) and via local councils for school-aged children.

Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Protect your community.