Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has advised the public, especially the vulnerable to take the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine as a proactive measure to protect against the virus.
According to the Ministry, the RSV vaccine helps by preventing severe illness and hospitalisations, reducing the risk of life-threatening complications, and providing protection for at least two years.
The vaccines are available at Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centers.
In a social media campaign, MoPH said, “Protect yourself and your loved ones with the RSV vaccine. Visit your nearest health center or call 107 to schedule your RSV vaccination.”
RSV is a common virus that affects the respiratory system, causing cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and mild fever. These symptoms can make it difficult to distinguish RSV from the common cold or other respiratory viruses. An antigen test can help detect RSV.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), RSV is one of the most common causes of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally, and it also causes a substantial burden of severe respiratory disease among elderly persons. Each year, RSV leads to over 3.6 million hospitalisations and about 100,000 deaths in children under 5 years of age.
RSV is transmitted through respiratory particles from coughing or sneezing, as well as by direct contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces. Practicing good hygiene — such as covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitising hands frequently, and cleaning commonly touched surfaces — helps prevent the virus from spreading. The MoPH has stated, “RSV is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and by touching contaminated surfaces.” Symptoms of RSV include a congested or runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, sneezing, headache, and mild fever.
These symptoms typically last between two and eight days, though they can last longer, especially if they lead to other serious conditions.
The Ministry has warned that RSV can cause serious health problems, including severe lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis, hospitalisation, and life-threatening respiratory conditions. The Ministry has advised that adults over 60, individuals with a weakened immune system, and people with chronic health conditions, including heart disease and chronic lung disease, should receive the RSV vaccine.
