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Resources

For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination

June 2024 | Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

  • RSV is a virus that causes a common respiratory infection.

    • The infection is usually mild and causes cold-like symptoms.

    • People usually recover in a week or two.

    • RSV infections can be serious, even life-threatening, especially in infants and older adults.

    • In our practice of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, we have not frequently diagnosed RSV infection. 

 

Should people with Down syndrome get the RSV vaccine?

  • The RSV vaccine is available to protect older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opens in new window (CDC) recommends the RSV vaccine for adults ages 75 and older. 

  • For some vaccines, there are different recommendations for individuals with immune system impairment. As a group, people with Down syndrome are considered to have immune system impairment. However, the RSV vaccine does not have additional or different recommendations for people with immune system impairment. 

  • Insurance may not cover RSV vaccines for individuals younger than 75 years.

  • Therefore, in our practice, we recommend the RSV vaccine to patients who are 75 years of age and older (per the CDC guidelines).

Find More Resources

We offer a variety of resources for people with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers and the professionals who care for and work with them. Search our collection of articles, webinars, videos, and other educational materials.

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Please note: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for a medical, psychiatric, mental health, or behavioral evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment plan by a qualified professional. We recommend you review the educational material with your health providers regarding the specifics of your health care needs.

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