Jeffersonville woman joins Magic Johnson for national RSV vaccine … – Evening News and Tribune

JEFFERSONVILLE Life is precious, especially as people get older.

Jeffersonville resident Renie Schuble would know. After she lost six weeks of her life to Respiratory Synctial Virus, an illness that affects children but is becoming more prevalent in older adults.

I felt like a 500-pound rock was laying on me, she said. I couldnt work, I couldnt move, I couldnt do anything. Its either breathe or eat and I chose to breathe, so I wasnt eating and I wasnt sleeping.

Schuble battled the disease without having to be hospitalized and by being treated by her personal physician.

Schuble was 69 when she got the illness and now at 74 shes hitting the road with NBA legend Magic Johnson to help make others aware of the dangers from the virus.

The pair have visited Chicago and Los Angeles spreading the word about a new RSV vaccine for older adults, and the pair plan to hit other cities with their message next year.

She said her symptoms felt like the worst cold of her life, but doctors werent able to pinpoint the cause at first.

It took numerous tests and doctor visits before she was diagnosed with RSV.

Once she had healed from the illness she was invited to participate in a study about older people contracting RSV.

Now I became really interested at why in the world did I catch RSV at 69 years old, she said, when years ago I had a great-granddaughter in the hospital with RSV.

Representatives from GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of the RSV vaccine, reached out to Schuble after she participated in the study and asked her to be a consumer spokesperson for the Sideline RSV vaccination campaign alongside Johnson.

My first event was in Chicago, and they flew me up. I stayed 24 hours, Schuble said, adding these events are typically at YMCAs with programs for older adults. She spoke alongside Johnson and a doctor about the illness.

I was like, Oh my gosh, Magic Johnson is here, and he would talk, the doctor would talk and I would tell my story.

A University of Louisville infectious disease doctor, Mark Burns, said the RSV vaccines are new this year and recommended for seniors.

Its usually for people over the age of 60 or those who may be immunocompromised, Dr. Burns said, adding that people with chronic illness, those with heart problems, liver problems and kidney problems also qualify.

Dr. Burns said RSV affects people in two age groups, children with smaller airways and people aged 60 and older. The virus is seasonal and usually shows up in the fall and winter months.

The person with a good, working immune system, (for them) its usually very mild symptoms, Dr. Burns said. It usually doesnt cause major issues.

Although RSV infections will be present this season, Dr. Burns said he hasnt heard anything about them being particularly bad this year.

Doctors are, however, gearing up for an influx of RSV, influenza and COVID infections.

Dr. Burns said those who qualify for the RSV vaccine should get it and recommends people with apprehensions about vaccination should speak to their doctors.

This is what I tell people about vaccines in general: vaccines have helped us through many severe, severe illnesses, Dr. Burns said. I go all the way back to polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus. All those types of illness out there, vaccines have made a world of difference.

Schuble said she remembers those illnesses as well and wishes the RSV vaccine had been around five years ago when she got sick.

She said its important to not believe misinformation about vaccinations.

(Im doing this campaign) because it is the correct information, she said. Back when we started with COVID we heard all this, Im not going to take it because theyre going to put a chip in me or theyre going to do this to me. This is a very safe vaccine.

Katie Couric Media, the production company owned by television journalist Katie Couric, has taken an interest in Schubles story as well.

The team arrived in Jeffersonville Monday morning to shoot content with her for an upcoming project.

Schuble said shes not sure when the project will come out, but its been quite the experience to be part of this campaign.

I was in awe of the whole thing (with Katie Couric Media), she said. They arrived at 8:30 a.m. and started carrying equipment in...they were the nicest people...they had me do a little walking in the neighborhood with my little dog, showing me as a normal human being.

And, I am a normal human being.

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Jeffersonville woman joins Magic Johnson for national RSV vaccine ... - Evening News and Tribune