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April 23, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

FDA Authorizes Pemgarda to Help Prevent COVID-19 for Immunocompromised People

FDA has authorized a monoclonal antibody to help prevent COVID-19 for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, ages 12 and older, and weighing at least 88 pounds. In addition to vaccination, Pemgarda may provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 and can be given at least 2 weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine

A healthcare provider gives Pemgarda as a single intravenous infusion over 60 minutes at a doctor’s office or healthcare facility. If continued protection is needed, additional doses may be given every 3 months.

People who are privately insured or have Medicare part B may receive Pemgarda for free. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if Pemgarda is right for you.

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Acute Cardiac Events in Older Adults Hospitalized for RSV

A new CDC study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA IM) shows that acute cardiac events occur frequently in adults 50 years and older who are hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Key findings include:

Nearly one-quarter experienced an acute cardiac event—most commonly acute heart failure.
Experiencing an acute cardiac event nearly doubled the risk of severe outcomes like ICU admission and death.
One in 12 adults with no documented underlying cardiovascular disease experienced an acute cardiac event during their hospitalization for RSV.

Among older adults, RSV can cause up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths each year. If you are age 60 or older, talk to your healthcare provider about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. RSV vaccines help protect older adults from severe RSV illness, particularly those with certain chronic medical conditions, those who are elderly or frail, and those living in nursing homes.