Live webinar - RSV in older adults: understanding risk and preventative measures - 2 April 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is well-recognised as a leading cause of illness in small children, but it is also a threat to older adults, especially those with underlying comorbid medical conditions. Older adults who contract RSV can experience complications including worsening of common cardiopulmonary comorbidities such as COPD, asthma, and congestive heart failure. Compared with younger age groups, older adults also experience longer hospital stays with RSV infection, and a greater risk of in-hospital death. Large, off-season outbreaks of RSV have occurred in Australia in recent years with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Early in 2024, the first RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 years and over became available in Australia.

This webinar, presented by A/Prof Michael Woodward, Prof Grant Waterer and Dr Victoria Hayes will equip GPs to understand the prevalence, seasonal patterns, and demographic impacts of RSV in Australia. It will also outline preventative measures in older age groups, including safety and efficacy features of the new RSV vaccine for adults.

Date: Tuesday, 2 April 2024
7:00pm - 8:30pm AEDT
6:30pm - 8:00pm ACDT
6.00pm - 7.30pm AEST
5.30pm - 7.00pm ACST
4:00pm - 5:30pm AWST

Duration: 1.5 hours

Professional development: CPD 1.5hrs Educational Activities

Learning outcomes:

By completing this learning activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in people aged 60 and above and how the risk is influenced by advancing age and common chronic conditions.
• Outline complications of RSV in older patients.
• Recommend non-medical measures to prevent RSV transmission among older adults.
• Educate patients about the availability of an RSV vaccine in Australia, and outline its efficacy and potential side effects.

Presented by Associate Professor Michael Woodward, Professor Grant Waterer and GP Dr Victoria Hayes

Associate Professor Michael Woodward AM MB BS MD FRACP

Associate Professor Michael Woodward is Head of Dementia Research at Austin Health in Melbourne, Victoria. He is a specialist in geriatric medicine with a major interest in adult vaccination and also Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, wound management and the quality use of medications in older people. The Medical and Cognitive Research Unit that he established conducts trials into new vaccines and other new therapies for conditions such as dementia and influenza.

Professor Grant Waterer MBBS PhD MBA FRACP FCCP

Dr Waterer is Professor of Medicine at the University of Western Australia, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago and Curtin University, Perth and Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University. He is the Executive Director of Medical Services for East Metropolitan Health Service. His main research interests are in pulmonary infections, especially pneumonia and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease, as well as bronchiectasis, COPD and of course COVID-19.

Dr Victoria Hayes MB BS FRACGP

Dr Hayes is a GP with interests in immunisation, women and children’s health and preventative medicine. She is part of Asprey network. When she is not working she enjoys travel and her community choir.

This session is sponsored by GSK.