Children’s Mercy Hospital Awaiting RSV Vaccines Following Rise In Cases

Posted September 27, 2023

Children’s Mercy Hospital doctors have been treating patients for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases and the back-to-school season could be the cause.

The hospital confirmed cases of the virus last week. Children’s Mercy is currently working on getting vaccines for RSV ready for young children, however, the vaccine is not yet available, KCTV 5 reported.

“Not yet, it’s coming. But it hasn’t come out just yet. We’re expecting it this fall for the youngest kids,” chief emergency management medical officer for Children’s Mercy Hospital, Dr. Jennifer Watts said.

A vaccine for patients ages 60 and older that targets RSV is now available in Kansas City, however, infants and young children are also at high risk for the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of RSV could resemble a cold because the virus infects the lungs and respiratory tract.