P.E.I. sees big drop in RSV hospitalizations with expanded vaccine access, says CPHO | CBC News
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The first year of P.E.I.’s expanded RSV program has been a success, with hospitalizations for the virus dropping by nearly three-quarters, says Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.’s chief public health officer.
Free RSV vaccines were previously available to people aged 60 and older living in long-term or community-care homes on the Island. Starting in September last year, free vaccines became available to seniors aged 75 and older, as well as infants eligible to receive an antibody product.
“The RSV program has gone very well… We went from over, you know, 100 admissions two years ago, and we’ve only had 28 admissions for RSV this year,” Morrison told CBC’s Island Morning Wednesday.
“So I think that really can make a difference.”
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, infects the nose, throat and lungs. The common virus can lead to hospitalization for people without strong immune systems, such as infants and older adults with chronic health conditions.
Morrison said that as the cold and flu season comes to an end, this year’s respiratory illness season is on track with previous years.
Other than RSV hospitalizations dropping, there have been about 100 hospitalizations due to influenza. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are also down.
Morrison noted that two-thirds of people hospitalized with the flu were not vaccinated.
“We’re so fortunate that we have vaccines available free of charge now for COVID, influenza and RSV for certain age groups,” she said.
“Those really can decrease your chances of ending up in hospital. But also, decrease your risk of COPD exacerbation, heart attack, stroke, and also how quickly you can recover from these illnesses.”
Fewer long-term care outbreaks
This season, more than 36,000 Islanders have been vaccinated for COVID-19, and more than 45,000 for influenza, which is similar to last year.
She hopes to increase these numbers, particularly influenza vaccination among infants up to four years old, which she described as “the second-highest risk group in terms of being hospitalized and poor outcomes.”
Outbreaks in long-term care, community care and other facilities have also decreased, with fewer cases reported.
Planning for next season is already underway. Morrison said the province must place vaccine orders now in anticipation of the fall.