Doctors call for RSV vaccination as Cyprus hospitals are full
Doctors call for RSV vaccination as Cyprus hospitals are full
The Cyprus Society of Pulmonology on Thursday called on Health Minister Michael Damianos to approve a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for use in Cyprus .
In addition, the association is seeking inclusion in the state vaccination program Gesy.
The RSV vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus, which commonly causes coughs and colds. The disease can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis in babies and the elderly , and can cause severe breathing problems.
In other countries, RSV vaccination is therefore offered and recommended to certain population groups.
In the United Kingdom, for example, the country's National Health Service recommends vaccination for pregnant women and all people aged 75 to 79.
The chairman of the Society of Pulmonology, Dr. Alexis Papadopoulos, highlighted RSV as the leading cause of viral lower respiratory tract infections in children .
The society recommends vaccination with one of the two RSV vaccines (RSVPreF3 and RSVpreF) approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2023.
The recommendation comes at a time when hospitals are grappling with rising admissions and doctors are reporting a rise in cases of flu-like symptoms in patients.
The society strongly recommends vaccination for risk groups . These include patients with cystic fibrosis, severe interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as heart disease.
The regulation also recommends vaccination for asthma patients, especially those with severe forms, as well as for people over 60 years of age with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, chronic kidney or liver disease and immune disorders. In addition, it recommends vaccination for all people over 75 years of age.
Source: CyprusMail.com
Author: Charalambos Stylianou
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