RSV cases climbing in Nebraska. Should you get the vaccine?

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Health officials across the country are warning of a rise in respiratory viruses, especially RSV. 

And it’s affecting some more than others.

“Eighty percent of those ER visits are children under age 4,” said Dr. Michael Schooff with CHI Health.

Lincoln hospitals said there are ways for you to protect those vulnerable.

CHI Health said there is a new vaccine that will help the two demographics most impacted by RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus: adults older than 60 and children.

“Those that have those underlying lung disease, heart disease, immune deficiencies, those are the people who definitely want to consider taking the vaccine,” Schooff said. “But anybody 60 and older can get one as well.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that women 32 to 36 weeks pregnant get vaccinated so the antibodies will pass to their babies. 

“Certain vaccines are given in pregnancies to try to protect the baby before the baby is born,” said Dr. John Cote with CHI Health.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the RSV vaccine in May after years of research.

The CDC said RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported a steady rise in cases over the last month, with a more than 12% positivity rate as of Saturday. It was just at 4% a month earlier. 

Here in Lincoln, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department also reported a slight increase in cases. 

Emergency room visits are up slightly across the state as well but are still much lower than this time last year.