RSV Vaccine Uptake Remains Low Among US Adults Aged 60 Years and Older

Older adults and individuals with chronic conditions face an increased risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Following the availability of RSV vaccines in 2023, researchers aimed to evaluate the uptake from August 2023 to February 2025 among adults aged 60 years and older, using IQVIA's open-source pharmacy (LRx) and medical (Dx) claims data. The findings, published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, demonstrate that limited RSV vaccination uptake was found during the 2023 to 2025 RSV seasons, identifying disparities in vaccination interest.¹

RSV vaccine vial with syringe - Respiratory syncytial virus shot - Image credit: MargJohnsonVA | stock.adobe.com

RSV Incidence in Older Adults

Annually, an estimated 110,000 to 180,000 individuals 50 years and older are hospitalized due to RSV in the US. While RSV symptoms typically present as mild and cold-like, some individuals could develop more severe symptoms like pneumonia. Symptoms may include a congested or runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat, sneezing, and headache, whereas symptoms of severe infection include fever, severe cough, wheezing, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and bluish color of the skin. RSV also could worsen conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart failure, leading to hospitalization or fatal outcomes.²

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 aged 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.³

RSV Vaccination Rates

Researchers conducted a retrospective database analysis including individuals aged 60 years and older with greater than 1 claim from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, and 1 claim was also required for those without RSV vaccination from January 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. The evaluation period of the study began on August 1, 2023, after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations were released, and continued through February 28, 2025.¹

The study established a baseline period of at least 12 months before August 1, 2023, to collect demographic and clinical data. It then tracked the uptake of the RSV vaccine in eligible adults, reporting both monthly and cumulative numbers. Patient follow-up ended at their first vaccination or at the conclusion of the study. Due to the use of claims data, all patients were censored at the end of the study period because loss to follow-up could not be determined.¹

The results demonstrated that nearly 12.8 million (16.4%) adults aged 60 years and older received an RSV vaccine between August 2023 and February 2025. While the uptake was low across all subgroups, vaccination increased with age and was higher among individuals with chronic conditions and factors that place them at higher risk for severe RSV compared to those without risk factors.¹

Further results revealed notable differences in RSV vaccination uptake based on race and ethnicity, income, and education level. Specifically, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults had lower vaccination rates compared to non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Asian adults. Additionally, vaccine uptake was higher among individuals with higher household incomes and more advanced education, measured by degrees attained.¹

The findings suggest that more efforts are needed to emphasize the importance of vaccination and prevent RSV among those at highest risk.¹

REFERENCES

1. La, E. M., McGuiness, C. B., Singer, D., Yasuda, M., & Chen, C. C. (2025). RSV vaccination uptake among adults aged 60 years and older in the United States during the 2023–2025 vaccination seasons. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2025.2535755

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

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