A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine is highly effective in preventing RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) among adults aged 60 years and older. The research highlights the potential of the vaccine to significantly reduce severe cases requiring emergency medical attention or hospitalization.

Study Overview

Led by Sara Y. Tartof, Ph.D., M.P.H., from Kaiser Permanente Southern California, the retrospective case-control study analyzed data from adults aged 60 years or older, with a mean age of 76.8 years. Participants were those who had been hospitalized or visited emergency departments for LRTD between Nov. 24, 2023, and April 9, 2024, and had their respiratory swabs tested for RSV.

The study included 7,047 cases of LRTD-related hospitalizations or emergency department visits with confirmed RSV testing results. Of these, 14.2 percent of patients were immunocompromised, and 93.3 percent had one or more Charlson comorbidities. The researchers estimated the adjusted vaccine effectiveness to be 91 percent using strict control definitions and 90 percent using broader control criteria.

Key Findings

The researchers reported that vaccinating approximately 250 people could prevent one RSV-related emergency department visit or hospitalization during the first season following vaccination. These findings underscore the vaccine’s potential to alleviate the burden of severe RSV disease in older populations.

"Based on our study results and RSV incidence in older adults, for approximately every 250 persons vaccinated, one RSV-related emergency department or hospitalization encounter could be prevented in the first season after vaccination," the authors noted.

Implications for Public Health

The study supports the widespread use of RSVpreF in older adults, particularly those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems. The vaccine’s high effectiveness highlights its role in mitigating severe outcomes associated with RSV, which remains a significant concern for older populations.

Disclosure

The study received funding from Pfizer, the manufacturer of the RSVpreF vaccine. Several authors disclosed financial ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, which has played a pivotal role in the development and dissemination of the vaccine.

This groundbreaking research provides an encouraging outlook on the prevention of RSV-related illnesses and paves the way for broader vaccination strategies targeting vulnerable groups.