The emergence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as a significant health threat to older adults has underscored the importance of vaccination, especially for those with conditions that heighten their risk of severe illness. Global data highlights the widespread impact of RSV, which leads to millions of infections, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths annually among adults aged 60 and older.
RSV poses a particularly high risk to adults over 65 in the United States, resulting in elevated rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and death. Notably, older adults with RSV face a greater likelihood of severe illness compared to those suffering from influenza or COVID-19. In response to this threat, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved three RSV vaccines for older adults in 2023. These vaccines, from Pfizer, GSK, and Moderna, have demonstrated over 80 percent efficacy in preventing RSV-related pneumonia and bronchitis.
A significant study published in The Lancet, which utilized data from an extensive electronic health record network involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and multiple U.S. healthcare systems, corroborated the effectiveness of RSV vaccines. The findings revealed that the vaccines were 80 percent effective in preventing hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths among adults aged 60 and older, with consistent efficacy across different age groups and immunocompromised individuals. Importantly, there was no evidence of waning protection within the RSV season.
Despite these promising results, the uptake of the RSV vaccine during the 2023-2024 winter season remained low, with only approximately 24 percent of U.S. adults aged 60 and older receiving the vaccine. This is a stark contrast to the influenza vaccination rate for the same group, which approaches 50 percent annually. According to Branche, this discrepancy is partly due to uncertainty among healthcare providers and a general lack of awareness about RSV-related risks and vaccination needs.
To address this issue, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) revised its guidelines in June 2024, recommending RSV vaccination for all adults aged 75 and older, as well as those aged 60 and above who reside in long-term care facilities or have chronic and high-risk health conditions. Branche emphasized that these updated guidelines, informed by new data, are expected to enhance public confidence in the vaccine's efficacy and simplify its implementation among healthcare providers and pharmacies.
Further advancements in RSV vaccination are on the horizon, with new research indicating that bivalent vaccines, which target multiple strains of the RSV virus, may offer prolonged protection. An international study led by URMC infectious disease experts Edward Walsh, MD, and Ann Falsey, MD, explored a bivalent RSV vaccine developed by Pfizer. Detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study demonstrated the vaccine's ability to effectively prevent severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract illnesses across two RSV seasons, achieving an overall efficacy rate of over 80 percent. The vaccine was notably effective in individuals aged 60 to 79.
As these scientific advancements continue to unfold, increasing awareness and vaccination rates among at-risk populations remain essential to mitigating the impact of RSV and safeguarding public health.
