Public health impact of RSV vaccination among adults aged 60 years and older in the United States using real-world evidence from the initial post-introduction season.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of severe respiratory illness in older adults and adults with certain health conditions. Adjuvanted RSVPreF3 and non-adjuvanted RSVpreF vaccines were approved in 2023 for use in adults aged ≥60 years in the United States (US). This study explored the impact of RSV vaccination during the first season of vaccine availability.

Research design and methods: A Markov model was adapted to compare RSV-related outcomes in adults aged ≥60 years with or without RSV vaccination. Analyses were based on real-world RSV vaccination uptake and effectiveness in the 2023-2024 season. Scenario analyses assumed the same higher uptake as for influenza vaccines.

Results: Over 1 year, real-world RSV vaccinations were estimated to avert 18,326 RSV-related emergency department (ED) visits, 23,630 hospitalizations, and 1,930 deaths versus no vaccination. Assuming the same uptake as for influenza vaccines resulted in considerable additional RSV disease burden averted (avoiding a total of 65,740 RSV-related ED visits, 84,551 hospitalizations, and 6,838 deaths over 1 year vs. no vaccination).

Conclusions: Findings suggest that real-world RSV vaccinations have substantially reduced RSV disease burden in the US. Increasing RSV vaccination uptake among eligible adults aged ≥60 years could provide additional public health benefits.