Hockey Legend Wayne Gretzky Promotes RSV Vaccine in New Ads. The former NHL star joins the likes of Travis Kelce, Billie Jean King and Martha Stewart.
The former NHL star, 62, acted in a video opposite an AI-generated rendering of his teenage self to promote Arexvy, the new vaccine from GSK for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“Take it from me and my younger self, protecting yourself against lower lung disease caused by RSV as an older adult is important,” reads a caption on Gretzky’s Instagram account where he posted the ad.
In the video, present-day Gretzky stands in front of a mirror in his home when he’s greeted by his teenage self in the mirror, who notices that he’s “been taking care of us.”
“Well yeah, of course,” the older Gretzky replies.
“Ever heard of RSV?” his younger self asks. “People think only kids get it, but it can seriously impact older people, too. Help protect yourself against RSV. Take your shot.”
“That I can do,” Gretzky says.
RSV is a seasonal virus that causes lung infections and in some cases, can be life threatening. Every year, between 60,000 and 120,000 people over the age of 65 are hospitalized and 6,000 to 10,000 die due to RSV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May approved Arexvy as the first RSV vaccine meant to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in people 60 and older.
“Older adults, in particular those with underlying health conditions, such as heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems, are at high risk for severe disease caused by RSV,” Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement at the time.
Since then, the FDA has also approved a vaccine, called Abrysvo from Pfizer, that is also intended to stop RSV in older adults. Abrysvo is also approved for pregnant women to take during their third trimester as a way to transfer immunity to their newborns. (There’s also a new RSV immunization available for infants, though that shot has been mired by an uneven rollout and warnings that it is already in short supply.)
Gretzky joins other famous athletes and celebrities including Travis Kelce, Billie Jean King, Martha Stewart, Mr. T and Charlie Puth who have partnered with pharmaceutical companies this year to promote getting vaccines.
King, who partnered with Moderna for the second year in a row in support of their COVID-19 vaccine, told The Messenger last month that she hopes to use her platform to encourage others to speak to their doctors to decide what’s best for their health.
“For me personally, I’m there. I want [the vaccine] as soon as I can get it,” she said. “I’m older, so this is personal. Everyone’s different but for me, it’s important to have the latest and greatest because of my age.”
