Carrie Koenigsfeld, PharmD, FAPhA

The pharmacists expressed a hopeful look toward the future of RSV immunization, expressing optimism about increasing vaccine uptake, expanding protection across populations, and the potential for new developments on the horizon.

The panel examined the evolving reimbursement landscape for RSV vaccines, with a focus on the positive impact of the Inflation Reduction Act for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.

The panel discussed the expected side effects associated with RSV immunization, including common local reactions like pain and swelling at the injection site, as well as systemic effects such as fatigue, fever, and muscle aches.

The panel examined practical strategies for coadministering respiratory syncytial virus vaccines with those for other respiratory illnesses, such as flu and COVID-19.

The panel examined practical strategies for following up with vaccine-hesitant patients, emphasizing the critical role of health information technology in this process.

The panelists examined how the experience of vaccine mandates during COVID-19 fostered a lasting sense of distrust and resistance, with misinformation exploiting fear of making the wrong choice for oneself or one's child.

The pharmacists examined the intersection of RSV prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, sparked by data showing that RSV drives more antibiotic prescribing than any other viral infection in children.

The panelists examined survey data revealing that approximately 40% of mothers with infants entering their first RSV season in 2025 expressed uncertainty or reluctance about administering the monoclonal antibody to their newborns.

The panelists examined the compelling new data showing a 30% reduction in RSV-associated hospitalizations for infants under 8 months and a striking 50% drop for those under 2 months, directly attributable to the introduction of maternal vaccination and monoclonal antibodies.

The panel examined the significant expansion of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program to over 1000 birthing hospitals, now covering approximately 42% of US births and enabling broader access to respiratory syncytial virus immunizations for newborns.

The expert pharmacists examined the real-world administration errors that have emerged from having multiple respiratory syncytial virus vaccine options with different indications.

The expert pharmacists examined recent shifts in adult respiratory syncytial virus vaccination recommendations, clarifying that all adults 75 years or older should receive the vaccine, and that those aged 50 to 74 years with certain high-risk conditions are also eligible.

The expert pharmacists examined the critical importance of timing in RSV immunization for pregnant individuals and infants, noting that patient conversations often fall at opposite ends of the spectrum, from eager acceptance to strong resistance.

RSV drives massive U.S. healthcare costs, with hospitalizations fueling most expenses; learn why prevention, vaccines, and antibodies protect adults, infants, and families.

Pharmacist experts explain RSV seasonality, symptoms and high-risk groups, then share practical strategies to close immunization gaps and streamline vaccine delivery.

Panelists discuss the evolving management of RSV, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness and education, anticipating advances in testing, data reporting, and treatment options like monoclonal antibodies and antivirals, and considering future vaccination strategies such as booster doses to enhance prevention and patient outcomes.

Panelists discuss strategies to address patient hesitancy around receiving multiple vaccines—flu, COVID-19, and RSV—simultaneously during the fall, emphasizing CDC recommendations for co-administration, educating patients about manageable adverse effects, tailoring conversations to individual concerns, and encouraging year-round RSV vaccination to maximize protection and reduce missed opportunities.

Panelists discuss how community pharmacies have become trusted hubs for adult vaccinations, with pharmacists not only administering vaccines but also educating patients and coordinating with other health care providers to ensure clear, unified messaging; they emphasize the importance of collaboration, empowering pharmacists to use clinical judgment, and actively navigating insurance challenges to improve vaccine access and public health outcomes.

Panelists discuss that building trust with vaccine-hesitant patients requires pharmacists to slow down, listen empathetically, and ask open-ended questions to understand individual concerns; by addressing specific fears with clear, tailored information and practicing cultural sensitivity, pharmacists can foster ongoing, respectful dialogue that gradually encourages vaccine acceptance.

Panelists discuss hesitancy surrounding the new RSV vaccine, highlighting factors such as uncertainty about safety and effectiveness, cost concerns, limited health literacy, language barriers, and lingering skepticism fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing how pharmacists can address these issues through tailored education, insurance guidance, and culturally sensitive communication to build patient trust and improve vaccine uptake.

Panelists discuss recent safety updates on RSV vaccines, including a rare potential risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in older adults receiving recombinant vaccines, emphasizing that benefits outweigh risks and highlighting the pharmacist’s role in educating patients about common adverse effects, recognizing early signs of rare adverse events, and navigating regulatory guidance to support safe, informed vaccination decisions.

Panelists discuss that effective shared clinical decision-making for RSV vaccination begins with clear, simple education about RSV’s risks and vaccine benefits, encourages patient questions, and involves transparent communication about how vaccines work and their safety; they emphasize that pharmacists already practice this approach routinely and should confidently use it to support informed patient choices and improve vaccine uptake.

Panelists discuss that pharmacies should prioritize practical workflow and patient management over clinical preference when administering RSV vaccines, since all FDA-approved vaccines are equally recommended; focusing on factors like preparation ease, storage, patient eligibility, and insurance helps streamline operations and promote timely vaccination without delays due to product choice or patient preference.

Panelists discuss the 3 FDA-approved RSV vaccines for high-risk adults—2 recombinant protein-based (1 adjuvanted, 1 bivalent) and one mRNA-based—highlighting differences in formulation, mechanism, and preparation, and emphasizing the importance of education to address misconceptions and guide appropriate vaccine selection.

Panelists discuss how pharmacies can boost RSV vaccination rates in high-risk adults by leveraging patient visits—especially during other immunizations—using integrated immunization registries and medication profiles to identify eligible patients, involving pharmacy technicians in vaccine conversations, and employing presumptive recommendation strategies to increase acceptance and awareness.

Panelists discuss how pharmacists can address patients’ growing vaccine fatigue and misconceptions—such as underestimating RSV’s severity in adults or believing it requires multiple doses—by providing clear, consistent education and emphasizing that a single RSV vaccine offers protection against serious illness in high-risk populations.

Panelists discuss how pharmacists can identify high-risk adults for severe RSV—such as those with chronic conditions or advanced age—by reviewing medication profiles, and how they can overcome barriers like limited awareness and workflow challenges to drive vaccine uptake through education, accessibility, and recent policy-supported coverage.

Panelists discuss clinical strategies to improve RSV vaccine uptake in high-risk adults by reviewing disease severity, comparing approved vaccines, and emphasizing the pharmacist’s pivotal role in patient education and vaccine advocacy to overcome hesitancy and increase protection in vulnerable populations.

Carrie Koenigsfeld, PharmD, FAPhA, discusses examples of successful community outreach initiatives aimed at overcoming barriers to adult RSV vaccination.

Carrie Koenigsfeld, PharmD, FAPhA, discusses how pharmacists can incorporate RSV vaccination education and recommendations into daily pharmacy workflows, including prescription pick-ups, consultations, and routine MTM sessions.