Medical experts across Bahrain and the GCC are calling on health authorities to establish regular immunisation programmes for older adults, according to a recently published study.
In the study titled ‘Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Strategies for Older Adults in Gulf Co-operation Council Countries: Expert Consensus and Recommendations’, the authors have also recommended that RSV vaccines be administered before mass gatherings like Haj and Umrah.
RSV is a common respiratory virus causing cold-like symptoms in adults and older children, with typical recovery in one to two weeks, however in infants and older adults, it can often lead to more serious issues like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
“RSV causes significant respiratory morbidity, hospitalisations and mortality among older adults in GCC countries,” Bahrain Defence Force Hospital infectious diseases consultant and clinical microbiologist Dr Manaf Alqahtani, who is one of the authors of the study, wrote in a post on social media.
“Limited regional data suggests the burden is comparable to regions with established surveillance, with high hospitalisation rates and severe outcomes linked to comorbidities.
“Older adults (those aged 60 and older) with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, metabolic and immunocompromising diseases are most vulnerable.
“Factors like frailty, living in long-term care, and advanced age (75 years and older) increase the risk of severe disease and death.”
The study and recommendations are based on consensus between a multidisciplinary panel of 15 experts, including Dr Alqahtani, from Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
It has recommended that a regular immunisation programme for older adults should include influenza, pneumococcal, shingles, Covid-19, tetanus, diphtheria and RSV vaccines.
It stressed that the influenza vaccine, in particular, should be administered amongst the vulnerable population on an annual basis.
RSV vaccines for older adults were approved in 2023 on the basis of their demonstrated efficacy in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.
Based on available clinical trials, RSV vaccines can lead to around 80 per cent reduction in lower respiratory tract diseases with three or more symptoms during the first RSV season post vaccination.
Real-world evidence has confirmed their effectiveness in older adults, demonstrating a 75pc reduction in the risk of RSV infection.
The typical seasonality of RSV in GCC is from October to March, with peak incidence often occurring in the cooler months (November through February), so to maximise immunity and protection, it is generally recommended to administer the vaccine in September or early October, allowing the body time to develop a robust immune response.
The study also strongly urged for the implementation of a wider vaccination programme for older adults ahead of the annual Haj, as well as Umrah pilgrimages.
“The latest Haj and Umrah health requirements only mandated vaccination against Covid-19 for high-risk individuals performing Haj,” the authors wrote.
“Seasonal influenza and Covid-19 vaccination were recommended for all travellers performing Haj or Umrah.
“To address the increased susceptibility of older adults to respiratory infections during these mass-gathering events, it is important to implement RSV vaccination into routine pre-travel health assessments.
“The RSV vaccine may be offered prior to the pilgrimages to ensure optimal protection is achieved and the risk of severe respiratory disease can be mitigated in older adults who are already vulnerable.”
Dr Alqahtani also stressed that education, vaccine accessibility and surveillance systems should be improved across the GCC amongst those aged 60 and above, with targeted awareness campaigns and improved diagnostic and reporting protocols for RSV.
“RSV remains underrecognised in GCC, with less than 10pc of samples from older adults,” he warned, adding that there is a need for standardised testing, centralised reporting and enhanced regional surveillance.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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