COVID-19 hasn't been the only threat to parents and their children since 2020. Concerns about the flu and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have also escalated during recent winters, leading to what was termed a "tripledemic" last year. However, with upcoming advancements in RSV vaccines, the approaching winter may finally have a sense of calm — that is, if anti-vax misinformation doesn't get in the way.
The FDA estimates that each year about 60,000 adults over the age of 65 are hospitalized with RSV; 6,000 to 10,000 die from the virus. Infants also face an increased risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year nearly 80,000 kids under 5 are hospitalized with RSV, and an estimated 300 die.
