RSV Vaccination: Protecting older Adults – Latest Effectiveness Data
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can pose a serious health risk to older adults, leading to hospitalization and complications. Fortunately, three vaccines are now available to help protect you: Arexvy (GSK), RSVpreF (Abrysvo; Pfizer), and mRESVIA (mRNA-1345; Moderna). These are recommended for all adults aged 75 and older, and for those between 60-74 with underlying health conditions that increase their risk of severe illness.
While initially approved in 2023 and 2024, the recommendations for these vaccines have evolved as we learn more about their impact. Here’s a breakdown of the latest research on RSV vaccine effectiveness in older adults.
Understanding Recent Findings on RSV Vaccine Effectiveness
Researchers recently conducted a thorough study analyzing RSV vaccine effectiveness over two full seasons – October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, and October 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025.The study involved 6,958 adults aged 60 and older hospitalized with acute respiratory illness.
Here’s how the study worked:
Test-Negative Design: Researchers compared vaccinated individuals hospitalized with RSV to those hospitalized with other respiratory illnesses (COVID-19 and influenza) who tested negative for RSV.
Rigorous Testing: All patients were tested for RSV, COVID-19, and influenza shortly after hospitalization, with RSV confirmed through nasal swab analysis.
Data Analysis: A elegant statistical method (multivariable logistic regression) was used to determine the association between vaccination status and RSV infection.
Key Results: Overall and Subgroup Effectiveness
The study revealed encouraging results. RSV vaccination demonstrated 58% effectiveness in preventing hospitalization due to RSV over the two seasons studied. However, timing matters.
Same-Season Effectiveness: The vaccine was most effective when administered in the same season you needed protection, showing a 69% effectiveness rate.
Prior-Season Effectiveness: Effectiveness decreased to 48% when the vaccine was given in the season before the potential exposure.
It’s also crucial to note that vaccine effectiveness varied based on your individual health status:
Immunocompromised Individuals: Effectiveness dropped to 30% in those with weakened immune systems.
Cardiovascular Disease: The vaccine was 56% effective in individuals with cardiovascular disease, compared to 80% in those without.
What This Means for You
According to William Self, a researcher involved in the study, “Our data show that the beneficial effects of RSV vaccines appear to wane over time.” This suggests that booster doses may be necesary to maintain long-term protection.
Continued monitoring of vaccine effectiveness is crucial to determine the optimal timing for repeat vaccinations. Discuss with your doctor whether RSV vaccination is right for you, and when you should receive it, based on your individual risk factors and health status.
Staying Informed About RSV
Here are some helpful resources for more details:
CDC – RSV in Adults: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/adults/index.html
CDC – RSV Vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/index.html
References:
- Surie D, self WH, Yuengling KA, et al. RSV Vaccine Effectiveness Against Hospitalization Among US Adults Aged 60 Years or Older During 2 Seasons. JAMA*. Published online August 30, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.15896
- One shot of RSV vaccine effective against hospitalization in older adults for two seasons. EurekAlert! News Release. August 30, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2025.[https://wwweurekalertorg/news-releases[https://wwweurekalertorg/news-releases[https://wwweurekalertorg/news-releases[https://wwweurekalertorg/news-releases
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