RSV Vaccination Could Protect Older Adults From Hospitalization Across Multiple RSV Seasons

One dose of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine could provide protection against RSV-associated hospitalization and severe infection for adults aged 60 years and older for 2 consecutive RSV seasons, according to findings from the IVY Network research group. The study authors, who published their findings in JAMA, noted that the results confirm the recommendation that older adults should receive an RSV vaccine while also providing a basis for determining how long a single dose of the vaccine remains effective.^1,2

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“These results clearly demonstrate that the RSV vaccines prevent hospitalizations and critical illness due to RSV infection among older Americans,” Wesley Self, MD, MPH, principal investigator for the IVY Network and senior vice president for clinical research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said in a news release. "It is exciting to see the public health benefits of this new vaccination program.”²

RSV Incidence and Vaccination Recommendations for Older Adults

Peak RSV season occurs in the fall and winter, with an estimated 110,000 to 180,000 RSV-related hospitalizations among US adults aged 50 years and older, accounting for nearly 4000 to 8000 annual deaths. RSV symptoms are typically mild and cold-like, including a congested or runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat, sneezing, and headache. Symptoms of severe infection include fever, severe cough, wheezing, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and bluish skin color. RSV also could worsen conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart failure, leading to hospitalization or fatal outcomes.³

The CDC currently recommends a single dose of any of the 3 FDA-approved RSV vaccines—RSVPreF3 (Arexvy; GSK), RSVpreF (Abrysvo; Pfizer), or mRNA-1345 (mRESVIA; Moderna)—for all adults 75 years and older, along with individuals aged 60 to 74 years who are at increased risk of severe illness. Arexvy was the first RSV vaccine approved by the FDA in May 2023 for adults 60 years and older, followed by Abrysvo, also in May 2023, and mRESVIA in May 2024; however, their indications have been updated since their initial approval.⁴

RSV Vaccine Effectiveness in Older Adults Across Seasons

Researchers conducted a test-negative, case-controlled study, including a total of 6958 adults aged 60 years and older who were hospitalized for an acute respiratory illness during 2 RSV seasons: October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, and October 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025. Patients were included if they were tested for RSV, COVID-19, or influenza shortly after their illness began and their hospital admission. RSV was also systemically tested from nasal swabs at a central lab. The study authors noted that case patients were those who tested positive for RSV. Control patients were those who tested negative for RSV, COVID-19, and influenza. Patients with COVID-19 or influenza infections were not included in the control group. Using a multivariable logistic regression method, researchers compared the odds of being vaccinated against RSV between those who had RSV and those who did not.^1,2

Among the 6958 individuals, 821 have RSV and 6137 do not. The results demonstrated that RSV vaccination was 58% effective at preventing hospitalization over 2 seasons. However, when given in the same season, its effectiveness was higher at 69% compared to 48% when given in the previous season.^1,2

Further results found that the vaccine was less effective in individuals that were immunocompromised at 30%, compared to 67% among those who were not. It was also 56% effective in individuals with cardiovascular disease compared to 80% in those without.^1,2

“Our data show that the beneficial effects of RSV vaccines appear to wane over time,” Self said in the news release. “Redosing the vaccine at some interval after the initial dose could be a strategy to maintain protection over longer periods of time. It will be important to continue to closely monitor vaccine effectiveness over time to understand how long the benefit lasts after a single dose and if repeat dosing should be considered.”²

REFERENCES

1. 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

2. 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://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1096473

3. RSV in Adults. CDC. News release. Updated July 8, 2025. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/adults/index.html

4. RSV Vaccines. CDC. News release. August 30, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/index.html