Experts Urge National Comprehensive Prevention and Control Plan for RSV in Older Adults Amid Launch of First Elderly-Focused Consensus

China Finance and Economics News, November 7th: Yesterday, during the 8th China International Import Expo, the symposium "Silver Age Protection, 'Pre'-viewing the Future" – Building an Immunization Barrier for Elderly RSV Respiratory Health and Interpretation of China's First Expert Consensus on Key Issues in the Prevention and Control of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in the Chinese Elderly Population was held.

Data show that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the major pathogens causing acute respiratory infections in elderly people, children under 5 years old, and immunocompromised individuals worldwide. The risk of medical visits, hospitalization, and mortality increases in elderly people infected with RSV. Additionally, it can trigger the exacerbation of pre-existing chronic conditions, leading to adverse clinical outcomes.

To promote the establishment of a systematic and scientific prevention and control system for RSV in the elderly, the School of Public Health and Medicine at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, in collaboration with experts from multiple organizations, jointly formulated and released the "Expert Consensus on Key Issues in the Prevention and Control of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among the Elderly Population in China." As the first policy and practice guidance document in China focusing on RSV prevention and control in the elderly, this consensus provides crucial scientific evidence and action guidelines for RSV prevention and control efforts among the elderly population in China, marking an important step forward in this field.

"Through a year-long field research and multiple rounds of expert discussions, we have systematically identified the key pathways for RSV prevention and control among the elderly in China," said Professor Feng Luzhao, Vice Dean of the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at Peking Union Medical College, while interpreting the consensus. He emphasized that comprehensive prevention and control strategies are needed for RSV prevention in the elderly. It is recommended that the national level issue a comprehensive prevention and treatment plan for RSV-related respiratory infectious diseases targeting the elderly population. This mainly includes three aspects: strengthening disease surveillance related to RSV in the elderly, implementing immunization strategies for eligible populations, and carrying out public health and social intervention measures.

"In Shanghai, we have taken the lead in exploring the RSV prevention and management model. Through pilot healthcare institution layouts, innovative management mechanisms, multi-department collaboration, and dynamic monitoring and evaluation, we have established a replicable infant RSV management pathway," said Sun Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based on local practical experience. He pointed out that turning expert consensus on top-level design into effective grassroots practices hinges on deepening the integration of medical care and disease prevention. In the future, Shanghai will further explore and improve data-sharing mechanisms with the aim of building an integrated RSV prevention and control network covering monitoring, early warning, prevention, and treatment, providing "Shanghai experience" that can be referenced across China.

Hui-Ming Yu, Vice President of GSK and General Manager of China, stated that actively preventing and controlling RSV infections in the elderly is an important step in safeguarding healthy aging and promoting overall public health. "As an 'eight-time participant' in the CIIE, this year we are bringing the significant innovative achievement in RSV prevention—our Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine—to the CIIE. We look forward to leveraging the strong influence of this platform to expedite the availability of this vaccine for China’s senior population."

According to reports, Arexvy (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine, Adjuvanted), which made its debut at the CIIE, is the world's first approved RSV vaccine. It has provided vaccination protection for more than 12 million people worldwide and has been included in the vaccination recommendations of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) in 19 countries. The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (Adjuvanted) offers protection for at least three epidemic seasons, minimizing the disease burden caused by RSV infection.