Vietnam is rapidly entering a phase of population aging, according to Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Quang Thai, Deputy Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Control at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Speaking at the scientific workshop "RSV in Older Adults: The Hidden Burden in Patients with Underlying Conditions and the Value of Vaccination," organized by the Geriatric Association in collaboration with GSK Vietnam, Doctor Thai highlighted that the aging process gradually diminishes the immune system, reducing its ability to respond to pathogens.
"As people age, immunosenescence impairs the body's ability to respond to pathogens. Therefore, older adults and individuals with underlying conditions face a higher risk of infectious diseases and infections," Doctor Thai stated.
This risk is more pronounced in individuals with underlying conditions such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or immunodeficiency. For this group, what might seem like a common respiratory infection can progress severely, exacerbating existing conditions and increasing the risk of hospitalization and death.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a notable pathogen among older adults. This virus is common, highly contagious, and typically causes cold-like symptoms. However, in older adults, especially those with underlying conditions, RSV can lead to lower respiratory tract infections and serious complications.
Unlike the transient symptoms seen in younger individuals, RSV can penetrate deep into the bronchi and lungs of older adults with underlying conditions, causing severe pneumonia. A 2025 projection estimates that over the next five years, Vietnam will record approximately 4,6 million cases of acute respiratory infections due to RSV in people aged 60 and above. This virus is expected to send 200,000 cases to emergency rooms and claim the lives of nearly 18,000 individuals.
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Older adults having their blood pressure measured at Cau Ong Lanh ward health station, TP HCM. Photo by Thanh Tung |
Beyond respiratory illnesses, the herpes zoster virus also poses a threat, ready to flare up when the body's resistance declines. Studies indicate that cardiovascular disease increases the risk of shingles by 34%, while diabetes elevates this risk by 38%. Professor David Halpin, a member of the Board of Directors and Scientific Committee of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), cited international recommendations confirming that vaccination is a fundamental solution to prevent severe progression in individuals with underlying conditions. Meanwhile, scientists are refining adjuvant technology (compounds that stimulate the immune system to produce stronger antibodies) to enhance vaccine efficacy in older adults.
At treatment facilities, hospitals are beginning to integrate vaccination counseling into routine patient reception procedures. Doctor Doan Thu Tra, Acting Director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital, stated that the unit proactively reviews vaccination histories at specialized cardiology, respiratory, and endocrine clinics or before patient discharge and organ transplantation. Doctors directly assess each individual's medical history to prescribe accurate vaccinations, minimizing the risk of dangerous complications.
The Ministry of Health also recently issued guidelines for controlling risk factors and managing individuals with risk factors and non-communicable diseases in the community. These guidelines include preventive vaccination measures, covering vaccines for hepatitis B, cervical cancer, RSV, influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and other appropriate vaccines. Experts suggest that the simultaneous increase in life expectancy and chronic diseases necessitates viewing infectious disease prevention as an integral part of long-term health management, rather than solely reacting to outbreaks or after an infection has occurred.
Le Nga
