RSV Vaccine Uptake Low Among Eligible Populations, Large-Scale Analysis Finds

Marta Telatin, DO

Photo courtesy of LinkedIn

In 2024, use of FDA-approved respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines was low across eligible populations, with administration rates ranging from 0.27% to 0.58%, according to a poster presented at the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)/World Allergy Organization (WAO) Joint Congress.1

Researchers analyzed administration rates and RSV incidence using the Epic Cosmos dataset, a large deidentified electronic health record database. The study population included infants aged ≤2 years, pregnant individuals in the third trimester, and adults aged 60 years and older—groups for whom RSV preventive options have recently become available.1

In 2023, the FDA approved Arexvy (GSK), the world’s first RSV vaccine for use in adults aged 60 years and older.2 That same year, the agency approved Pfizer’s RSV vaccine Abrysvo™ for use in pregnant individuals and in people aged 60 years and older, as well as nirsevimab (Beyfortus; AstraZeneca/Sanofi) to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants.3,4,5

Presenting author Marta Telatin, DO, a first-year resident at Memorial Healthcare System, and colleague Christopher Chang, MD, evaluated the use of the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus; AstraZeneca/Sanofi) in infants; Abrysvo (Pfizer) in pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks gestation; and Arexvy (GSK), mResvia (Moderna), and Abrysvo in older adults.1

According to the analysis1:

• Among 3 859 197 eligible infants and children, 16 714 received nirsevimab, for an administration rate of 0.44%.
• Among 2 922 766 eligible pregnant individuals, 16 891 received Abrysvo, representing 0.58%, the highest rate among the 3 populations.
• Among 88 546 752 eligible adults aged ≥60 years, 243 067 received 1 of the 3 approved RSV vaccines for their age group, for an administration rate of 0.27%.

In the pediatric cohort, there were 33 842 cases of RSV (0.88% incidence). Among infants who received nirsevimab, 281 RSV cases were recorded (1.68% incidence).1

In the group of infants born to vaccinated pregnant individuals, 4715 RSV cases were reported (0.41% incidence). Among those born to mothers who received Abrysvo, the incidence was 0.12% (280 cases). In adults aged ≥60 years, 24 717 cases of RSV were documented across the study period, for an incidence of 0.03%.1

“Overall low rates of vaccination indicate a crucial need to increase awareness of RSV prevention among healthcare workers,” Telatin and Chang concluded.1

References:

1. Telatin, Chang. 2024 adoption rates of RSV preventative measures in infants, pregnant mothers, and the elderly. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2025;155:AB455. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2024.12.1056

2. Halsey G. FDA approves world's first vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus. Patient Care Online. May 3, 2023. https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/fda-approves-world-s-first-vaccine-against-respiratory-syncytial-virus

3. Jennings S. FDA approves first RSV vaccine for use in pregnant individuals to prevent LRTD in infants. Patient Care Online. August 22, 2023. https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/fda-approves-first-rsv-vaccine-for-use-in-pregnant-individuals-to-prevent-lrtd-in-infants

4. Halsey G. Pfizer wins FDA approval for vaccine against RSV in older adults. Patient Care Online. June 1, 2023. https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/pfizer-wins-fda-approval-for-vaccine-against-rsv-in-older-adults

5. Fitch J. FDA approves nirsevimab-alip injection to prevent RSV in neonates, infants. Patient Care Online. July 17, 2023. https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/fda-approves-nirsevimab-alip-injection-to-prevent-rsv-in-neonates-infants