JAMA Netw Open

RSV vaccine shows high effectiveness in preventing severe respiratory illness

December 16, 2024

Study design: This test-negative case-control study evaluated the effectiveness of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits among adults ≥60 years. The study was conducted within a large US healthcare network during the 2023-2024 RSV season, focusing on a population with significant comorbidities and a high representation of individuals ≥75 years.

Results: The RSVpreF vaccine demonstrated an effectiveness of 91% against RSV-related hospitalizations and 90% against ED visits. These results were consistent across both strict and broad control groups and highlights the vaccine's substantial protective effect in an older adult population, including those with underlying health conditions and immunocompromised status.

Impact on clinical practice: These findings support the use of the RSVpreF vaccine in older adults to significantly reduce the incidence of severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease. Physicians should consider recommending this vaccine to high-risk patients, particularly those with comorbidities, to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization during the RSV season.

Source:

Tartof SY, et al. (2024, December 2). JAMA Netw Open. Estimated Vaccine Effectiveness for Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Related Lower Respiratory Tract Disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39671195/