From the Guidelines
A 62-year-old individual should receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine once in their lifetime if they are at increased risk for severe RSV disease, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 1. The recommendation is based on the increased risk older adults face from RSV, which can cause severe respiratory illness, pneumonia, and exacerbation of underlying conditions like COPD or heart disease. According to the latest guidelines 1, a single dose of any Food and Drug Administration–approved RSV vaccine (Arexvy, Abrysvo, or mResvia) is recommended for adults aged ≥75 years and for adults aged 60–74 years who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Some of the risk factors for severe RSV disease include chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic lung/respiratory disease, end-stage renal disease, diabetes, neurologic/neuromuscular conditions, chronic liver disease, chronic hematologic conditions, severe obesity, moderate/severe immunocompromise, and residence in a nursing home 1. It is essential to discuss with a healthcare provider to determine if the vaccine is recommended based on individual risk factors. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against RSV, providing protection when exposed to the virus 1. Side effects are generally mild and may include injection site pain, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and joint pain. The best time to get vaccinated is before the RSV season, which typically runs from fall through spring (October to March in most parts of the US). Key points to consider:
- The vaccine is recommended for adults aged ≥75 years and for adults aged 60–74 years who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease.
- The vaccine should be administered as a single dose.
- The vaccine is not recommended to be given annually like the flu shot.
- Adults who have previously received RSV vaccine should not receive another dose 1.
From the Research
RSV Vaccine Frequency for 62-Year-Olds
- The frequency of RSV vaccination for a 62-year-old is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but we can look at the vaccination schedules and efficacy of RSV vaccines in older adults.
- A study on the AS01E-adjuvanted RSV prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) found that a single dose was efficacious against RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (RSV-LRTD) over three RSV seasons in people aged 60 years or older, with an efficacy of 62.9% 2.
- The same study found that a first dose followed by revaccination 1 year later had an efficacy within the same range as that of one dose, suggesting that revaccination may be beneficial 2.
- Another study on the bivalent RSVpreF vaccine found that coadministration with seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine was safe and immunogenic in healthy adults aged 65 years or older, but did not provide information on the frequency of vaccination 3.
Safety and Efficacy of RSV Vaccines
- The studies suggest that RSV vaccines are safe and efficacious in preventing RSV-LRTD in older adults, with a clinically acceptable safety profile 3, 2.
- Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that provides passive immunity against RSV, has been shown to reduce RSV-related hospitalization in high-risk populations, but its use is not recommended for adults aged 62 years or older 4, 5, 6.
Recommendations
- Based on the available evidence, it is recommended that adults aged 60 years or older receive an RSV vaccine, such as RSVPreF3 OA, to protect against RSV-LRTD 2.
- The frequency of vaccination is not explicitly stated, but revaccination 1 year after the initial dose may be beneficial 2.
- Further research is needed to establish the optimal revaccination strategy and to determine the efficacy and safety of RSV vaccines in adults aged 62 years or older.