A new prevention measure is now available that hasn’t existed before for a certain respiratory illness.

RSV impacts newborns, young children and older adults and there are several cases every year. Dallas County Health Department Community Health Administrator Abigail Chihak says there is a new RSV vaccine that older adults, women who are 32-36 weeks pregnant during respiratory illness season, young children and newborns are eligible to receive. She urges parents of newborns to consider getting the vaccine because they are among those most susceptible population for RSV.

“Anytime our little ones, especially our itty bitty babies are having trouble breathing we really want to make sure that we’re taking them to the doctor because their lungs are new and fresh, and we don’t want them to have struggles breathing.”  

Chihak says the symptoms of RSV include a runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, a fever and difficulty breathing. She is excited about this new vaccine.

“So we’re really hoping that with these new tools we’re able to kind of reduce the burden of that illness and hopefully less of our folks are going to get that severe illness.” 

Chihak urges individuals thinking about getting the RSV vaccine to consult with their physician who can then recommend getting the shot if it’s needed.