RSV Vaccine

August 28, 2024 / Charles W. Lapp, MD / News

Patients have been asking about the RSV vaccine. Respiratory Syncytial Virus can cause severe respiratory disease in adults and has been becoming more prevalent recently. An increase in cases is expected this Fall, so the CDC recommends immunization for high risk individuals over age 60, every adult over 75 years, and all immunocompromised individuals. The vaccine is said to be up to 80% effective in preventing severe lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia.

RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo or Arexvy by GSK) is made with a live attenuated virus, so there is a potential that it could trigger a flare in some of our patients. However, this vaccine has had few side effects and seems to be well tolerated. We do not have significant experience at Hunter-Hopkins to say whether it is “safe” or not. If the prevalence of RSV is high in your area, or you have a lot of exposure to other people, then highly consider this vaccine.

Unlike the influenza vaccine, RSV does not need to be administered annually. One jab is good for at least 2 years, probably much longer.

The cost of RSV vaccine should be covered by all Medicare programs, but many commercial carriers do not pay for it. Check before getting your vaccination, or it could cost $300 or more out of pocket!

RSV, Vaccine

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Dr. Hillman was born and reared in Utica, New York. He attended college at Clarkson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and then spent two years toward a master’s degree in biochemistry/oncology at the University of Buffalo’s Roswell Park Division, where he did research in leukemia. Dr. Hillman attended St. George’s University School of Medicine, and completed his clinical years at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, graduating in 1996. During the Summer of 1994 he also did research at the University of Buffalo Dental School using PCR technology on RNA subtyping of gram negative oral bacteria. Following medical school, Hillman went on to a Family Practice Residency at North Shore / Long Island Jewish Hospital in Bay Shore, NY.

After his residency, Dr. Hillman worked for the US Army at the West Point Military Academy (Keller Army Hospital family practice unit), worked in the Emergency Room and hospital admitting areas, and ran a private practice as well. From 2005-2006 he also worked at the Winn Army Hospital at Fort Stewart, GA, before setting up a private Family Practice in Huntersville, NC in 2007. In addition to his private practice Dr. Hillman also has an interest in helping clients with disabilities. He has worked for ProMed Urgent Care in Occupational Medicine and performed over 13,000 examinations for Social Security Disability.

Dr. Hillman has a family member with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so he has a long standing interest and empathy with the disorder! He is married and has two sons and a daughter. The family lives in Huntersville.