Dear SMA Patient,
Even as we are relishing these last few weeks of summer, our thoughts are turning toward the “cold and flu season” and how best to stay healthy. With this, we wanted to inform you of vaccine recommendations for this fall.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine (“Arexvy” from GSK and “Abrysvo” from Pfizer), for those 60 and above, may now receive at your local pharmacy. Since this is brand new (FDA-approved this summer), you may consider spacing 7-14 days from other vaccinations (although “technically,” can be given with other vaccinations, and may in the future be “bundled” with the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as likely will be recommended annually as protection can wane after 6 months).
Please note that some insurances may not cover the full cost of the vaccine (discuss with your pharmacist) and may be from $250-$300 out of pocket if not.
RSV Vaccine Information Statement | CDC
FDA Approves First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine | FDA
Influenza vaccine, high-dose trivalent for those over 65 or “regular” trivalent vaccine for those under 65, recommended to receive in October to fully protect through flu season, although available now at many pharmacies. These will be available to our patients at our annual drive-thru clinic featuring extended hours this year.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/qa_fluzone.htm
https://www.sanofiflu.com/fluzone-high-dose-influenza-vaccine/
COVID-19 booster, re-formulated to address new variants, available at your local pharmacy. Recommended for all patients (unless infected with COVID-19 within 3 months or reaction to vaccine previously). Newly formulated 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine may be administered two months after receiving a prior COVID vaccine. May be administered with flu shot at the same time, or you may stagger.
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/what-to-know-about-updated-covid-vaccines-for-2024-25
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/looking-ahead-at-covid-flu-and-rsv-vaccines-for-fall-2023
Pneumonia vaccine, the PCV 20, available at your local pharmacy. For those patients with chronic medical conditions (for example, with diabetes, heart disease, asthma or cancer) or those over the age of 65 who have not received PneumoVax 23 and Prevnar 13/15 within the last 5 years, staggered 1 month from other vaccines. (You may confirm with your MyChart account under “Immunizations.”)