Single Dose of RSV Vaccine Demonstrates Long-Term Effectiveness in Older Adults
A recent study has revealed that a single dose of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and severe illness associated with RSV in adults aged 60 and above across two consecutive seasons.
The study, conducted by the IVY Network research group and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicates that RSV is responsible for a considerable number of seasonal illnesses in the United States, leading to an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 to 8,000 fatalities annually among older adults.
According to the findings, the RSV vaccine proved effective in lowering hospitalization rates by 58% over two RSV seasons. The efficacy was notably higher in the first year post-vaccination, with a reduction of 69%, while the following year showed a 48% decrease in risk.
Wesley Self, the principal investigator for the IVY Network, highlighted the significance of these results, emphasizing their implications for public health and the ongoing need for vaccination among older populations. The findings underscore the necessity of RSV vaccinations for individuals aged 75 and older, as well as those aged 60 to 74 who may be at higher risk of severe RSV-related complications.
The data was gathered from a comprehensive multicenter hospital network that included 6,958 participants aged 60 and older, all of whom were hospitalized due to acute respiratory illness at various hospitals across 20 states during the RSV seasons from October 2023 to March 2024 and from October 2024 to April 2025.
While the study affirms the effectiveness of the vaccine, it also notes a gradual decline in its protective benefits over time. Self remarked that the diminishing efficacy suggests the possibility of needing booster doses to sustain protection against RSV in the long term. Monitoring the durability of vaccine effectiveness will be crucial for informing future vaccination strategies.
Current guidelines recommend vaccination for all older adults, especially those in high-risk categories. This study reinforces the importance of vaccination programs aimed at protecting vulnerable populations from RSV, which remains a significant health threat during the fall and winter months.
In conclusion, the findings advocate for sustained public health efforts to promote RSV vaccination among older adults, potentially reducing the burden of this virus and its associated complications.