Some doctors are raising concerns about vaccine accessibility as the winter illness season approaches.
Lexington pediatricians are discussing potential delays in getting RSV shots for babies and toddlers.
RSV is a respiratory virus whose peak season runs from October to February.
According to Dr. Caitlynn Iddings, a pediatrician at Pediatric & Adolescent Associates in Lexington, RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in children under five during the fall and winter months, with between 60,000 and 80,000 children hospitalized.
While a vaccine was approved by the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration earlier in the summer, insurance is not footing the bill. The one-dose vaccination lasts about five months and often runs for $500.
While there is supply and demand, there is also a cost that parents and practices alike are struggling to fund.
In lieu of vaccination, Dr. Iddings said parents should keep sick children home from daycare if they are experiencing symptoms, along with staying on top of basic ways to fight germs, such as washing hands.
Source: WBKO
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