A recent multi-state study published in The Lancet examined the effectiveness of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in older adults during the 2023-24 respiratory disease season. The study, conducted by the VISION Network researchers, found that RSV vaccination provided approximately 80 percent protection against severe disease, hospitalization, ICU admission, and death due to respiratory infections in adults aged 60 and older. This protection was consistent even among those with immunocompromising conditions. Older adults, particularly those aged 75 and older, were found to be at the highest risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
Collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and various U.S. healthcare systems and research centers, the study utilized integrated medical, laboratory, and vaccination records to assess the effectiveness of the RSV vaccine in preventing severe respiratory illness. Unlike clinical trials, which were underpowered to evaluate vaccine efficacy against severe disease requiring hospitalization, this real-world data analysis provided valuable insights into the vaccine’s effectiveness. Dr. Shaun Grannis, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of this data in informing vaccine policy and encouraged older adults to follow CDC guidance and get vaccinated for RSV each respiratory disease season.
Respiratory disease season in the U.S. typically starts in late September or early October and lasts through March or early April. RSV is a highly contagious virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs, leading to significant illness and mortality among older adults during seasonal epidemics. Prior to the availability of an RSV vaccine, thousands of adults aged 65 and older were hospitalized each year due to RSV-associated illness, with thousands more succumbing to RSV-related deaths. The study’s findings underscored the importance of vaccination in mitigating the burden of RSV on the healthcare system and preventing severe outcomes in older adults.
Dr. Brian Dixon, another co-author of the study, pointed out that while no vaccine is 100 percent effective, an 80 percent efficacy rate for the RSV vaccine is quite impressive. Using real-world data from electronic medical records, the study demonstrated that RSV vaccination was highly protective against hospitalization, severe illness, and death. This protection could translate to significant cost savings, as RSV hospitalizations for adults in the U.S. are estimated to cost billions of dollars annually. By preventing up to 80 percent of hospitalizations, the RSV vaccine could potentially lead to substantial savings for consumers and the healthcare system.
The study involved VISION Network sites across different states, including Permanente Northwest (Oregon and Washington), University of Colorado (Colorado), Intermountain Healthcare (Utah), Regenstrief Institute (Indiana), HealthPartners (Minnesota and Wisconsin), and Kaiser Permanente Northern California (California). These sites, encompassing a total of 230 hospitals and 245 emergency departments, contributed valuable data and scientific expertise to the study. As efforts to combat RSV continue, studies like this one play a critical role in understanding the impact of preventive measures such as vaccination. The research highlights the potential of the RSV vaccine to reduce hospitalizations and severe outcomes in older adults, ultimately leading to improved public health and healthcare cost savings.