Pfizer Canada ULC declared that ABRYSVO™ is the publicly-funded vaccine prepared to protect senior adults in Canada against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), during the 2024-2025 period. Health authorities in Canada approved ABRYSVO™ to prevent lower respiratory tract disease from RSV in persons aged 60 years and above. iABRYSVO ™ is the first RSV vaccine approved for protecting the infants by immunizing pregnant mothers.
RSV is among the most contagious of respiratory viruses and mainly affects the elderly, especially those experiencing other known medical conditions, a weakened immune system, or people living in long-term care.
Several provinces and territories in Canada are integrating ABRYSVO™ into publicly supported immunization programs to preserve the health of older adults. Eligible individuals will have free access to this vaccine.
Pfizer Canada is applauding the provinces and territories for having done the unthinkable within months of ABRYSVO™ Health Canada’s approval.
The National Advisory Committee strongly recommended this in July 2024. The committee has recommended the immunization for senior citizen of age 75 years and higher, specially those at higher risk for getting severe RSV infection. It also covered the adults 60 years and higher living in nursing homes and chronic care centres.
Individuals in these groups should refer to their province’s immunization schedules for eligibility criteria.
Older persons are especially vulnerable to contracting RSV and developing serious complications that impair function and quality of life.
Ms. Katrina Bouzanis, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Innovation at the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing RSV and reducing its impact on older individuals. The IFA expects that all Canadian provinces and territories would provide access to RSV vaccine by including it in their public health coverage plans.
While RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, pre-existing medical disorders that commonly affect older persons, such as chronic heart disease and diabetes, might raise the risk of severe RSV. Older persons are also more likely to have lower respiratory tract infection consequences from RSV, such as pneumonia.
In Canada, older persons account for more than 80% of RSV-related deaths each year. Older persons, particularly those in long-term care, had higher rates of RSV-related hospitalization compared to the general population .
Read More: Click Here
