The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine for Older Adults: The New Shot on the Block

"We're going to have to be explanatory and persuasive."

Vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the topic of discussion and particulary how to encourage older adults who are eligible for the new vaccine to roll up a sleeve during the coming respiratory virus season.

Professor of infectious disease Bill Schaffner, MD, and professor of family medicine Chuck Vega, MD, spoke with Patient Care® about the education they feel will be needed this year to bring US primary care clincians up to speed on RSV as an infection highly dangerous to their older adult patients and introduce them to the vaccine and the the appropriate older adult popualtion. Older patients, too, may be eligible for that vaccine and also for a COVID-19 booster and a flu shot. The 2 clinicians discuss more about being "...explanatory and persuasive" in this short video.

William Schaffner, MD, is professor of infectious disease and preventive medicine in the Department of Health Policy, and professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN.

Charles Vega, MD is Health Sciences Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the UC Irvine School of Medicine where he also serves as executive director for the UC Irvine Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community.

For other conversations in our series with Drs William Schaffner and Chuck Vega:

Keep the Vaccination Conversation Going—and Cheerlead, Too

3 Dangerous Respiratory Viruses, 3 Robust Vaccines, 3 Shots at Broad Protection This Year

The State of Vaccine Willingness in the US: A Primary Care and an Infectious Disease Physician Discuss

Respiratory Virus Season 2023-2024 is Shaping Up to be a Transitional One: Expert Interview