Prevent Complications Of Respiratory Infections, Elderly Comorbids Need Vaccines RSV

JAKARTA - As we age, the immune system decreases naturally which makes the elderly more susceptible to various infectious diseases, especially those with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease.

For this age group, vaccination is not just an option, but an important need to prevent serious complications from viral infections, including respiratory tract infections such as the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

The Association of Indonesian Internal Medicine Specialists (PAPDI) emphasized the importance of RSV vaccination to protect the elderly, especially those with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This vaccine is considered capable of preventing severe symptoms and the risk of hospitalization which often accompanies RSV infections.

Chairman of PAPDI for the 2022-2025 period, Dr. Sally Aman Nasution, explained that respiratory infections due to RSV could worsen pre-existing heart conditions, even triggering new heart problems.

"Patients with heart problems are at risk up to 5.5 times higher for treatment due to RSV than those who do not have comorbidities," he explained at a press conference in Jakarta.

He also cited data from Canada, which showed that among adult patients treated for RSV, about 22% had cardiovascular complications. Among them, 14% experienced heart failure, 8% experienced new arrhythmias, and a small part had a stroke or heart attack.

According to Sally, the benefits of the RSV vaccine are not only limited to preventing the infection itself, but also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events triggered by infection.

Therefore, this vaccine needs to be seen as an important part of treating the elderly with chronic diseases, especially in the cardiology approach of geriatries.

A similar opinion was conveyed by Dr. Ketut Suastika, SpPD-KEMD. He explained that diabetic patients over 65 are at risk up to 11.4 times higher for treatment due to RSV than non-diabetes patients.

This is related to the decline in endurance with age, a condition known as Age-Related Declane in Immunity (ARDI).

"Prevention of infection in the elderly is not only preventing severe flu, but also part of overall comorbid management," said Dr. Ketut.

In addition to the health impact, Ketut also highlighted the economic burden of this kind of infection. "For adult patients who are hospitalized due to pneumonia or other respiratory tract infections, the costs borne by JKN can exceed Rp. 7 million per treatment episode," he said.

He added that projectively, the number of RSV cases in Southeast Asia in the next five years is estimated to reach 24.5 million, with around 9.7 million cases predicted to occur in Indonesia. This data strengthens the urgency of prevention efforts through education and vaccination.

As part of the protection measure, Ketut emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness, implementing a healthy lifestyle, and participating in RSV vaccinations, especially for elderly people who have a higher risk of infection.