RSV Threatens Babies And Elderly, Vaccination Is Very Important For Prevention

Illustration of a pair of elderly people (Pexels/Vlada Karpovich)

JAKARTA - Around 6.6 million cases of infection with the Coronavirus Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) occur every year in infants under six months around the world, with 45 thousand deaths due to complications according to The Lancet 2022 data. In Indonesia itself, RSV continues to be a serious concern for medical people, because this virus threatens infants and the elderly.

RSV is a virus that is easily transmitted and can cause lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and broncholitis, especially in infants and the elderly, which are vulnerable groups. Currently, RSV is classified into two genotypes, namely RSV A and RSV B, both of which contribute significantly to the burden of RSV disease globally.

Symptoms of this disease often resemble the common cold, but in infants under the age of 6 and adults older or have certain risk factors, the symptoms are more severe and require hospital treatment.

The RSV infection can last for up to two weeks and has the potential to cause long-term lung disorders. Although the symptoms were mild at the beginning, the impact could be serious," said your Specialist, Prof. Dr. dr. Rinawati Rosantmo, Sp. A(K), during public education with Pfizer Indonesia entitled Two Generations, One Threat: The Importance of Preventing RSV, in Kuningan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The threat of RSV to infants and the elderly is increasing because until now there has been no specific treatment for RSV. Therefore, prevention efforts are the most effective steps, namely by vaccinating.

Newborn babies are vulnerable to RSV infection because their immune system has not developed perfectly. Thus, it is important to take preventive measures by vaccination during pregnancy, which is also recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"WHO recommends giving a dose of RSV vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy, namely when the gestational age enters approximately 28 weeks," said Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Obstetrics and Social Gynecology (HOGSI) - POGI, Prof. Dr.dr. Dwiana Ocviyanti, Sp.OG(K), MPH.

Meanwhile, the elderly are vulnerable to RSV because the immune system has decreased, especially in those who have comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disorders. With that, vaccination also needs to be done and the RSV vaccine has also been included in the 2025 Adult Immunization schedule.

The RSV vaccine is important as a complement to protection, along with flu and pneumonia vaccines, to maintain respiratory tract health in the elderly. Currently, the RSV vaccine has been included in the 2025 Adult Immunization Schedule," said Head of the Adult Immunization Task Force Association of Indonesian Internal Medicine Specialists (PAPDI), Dr.dr. Sukamto Koesnoe, SpPD, K-AI, FINASIM.

With the importance of vaccination for the RSV, Pfizer Indonesia is increasingly committed to making efforts to prevent respiratory diseases, including RSV. The contribution to handling this disease is carried out by launching various innovations which are expected to be useful for preventing RSV.

For more than 20 years, Pfizer Indonesia has contributed to preventing respiratory diseases, especially pneumonia, through various innovations. Our efforts to provide protection for RSV are a continuation of this commitment. The existence of Pfizer in Indonesia for 56 years reflects our consistent dedication to continuing to provide innovative medicines and vaccines for the people of Indonesia," concluded the Director of PT Pfizer Indonesia, Hendra Wijaya.