Today, The Lancet published the first real-world data analysis of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine efficacy among older US adults in a large multistate study. The study shows the vaccine was 80% effective in protecting against hospitalizations and deaths during the 2023-2024 RSV season.
The authors said the findings should encourage people to get vaccinated against RSV this year.
"No vaccine is 100 percent effective. An 80 percent vaccine effectiveness rate is quite impressive and higher than we see, for example, with the influenza vaccine," said study coauthor Brian Dixon, PhD, MPA, from Indiana University, in a press release. "The bottom line is that using real world data from electronic medical records routinely captured in care for people from diverse walks of life we found that having the vaccine was highly protective against hospitalization, severe illness and death.”
The study was based on data collected via the electronic health records of patients seen at 230 hospitals and 245 emergency departments across the United States from October 2023 through April 2024. The hospitals are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's) VISION network.
73% effective for immunocompromised adults
In total, 28,271 hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus-like illness were noted among 60- year-olds who were not immunocompromised.
The authors found that RSV vaccination was 80% effective in protecting against hospitalization (95% confidence interval [CI], 71% to 85%) and 81% effective against virus-associated critical illness (intensive care unit admission, death, or both).
Among 8,435 hospitalizations for RSV-like illness among adults with immunocompromising conditions, vaccine effectiveness was 73% against associated hospitalization
Each year, the CDC estimates that 60,000 to 160,000 RSV-associated hospitalizations and 6,000 to 10,000 RSV-associated deaths will occur among adults aged 65 years and older. Before the introduction of the RSV vaccine last year, RSV hospitalizations for this group cost between $1.2 and $5 billion annually.
Preventing up to 80 percent of hospitalizations could result in major savings for consumers and the health system.
"Preventing up to 80 percent of hospitalizations could result in major savings for consumers and the health system," said Dixon.
Currently, the CDC recommends that all adults over 75 be vaccinated against RSV and adults over 60 if they are at risk for severe disease, including those who are obese or have heart disease, diabetes, or immune compromise.
Correction: The CDC says the RSV vaccine be given once, not annually, as stated in the original article published on October 18.
