From the Guidelines
The RSV vaccine is recommended to be administered as a single dose annually, with the most recent guidelines suggesting vaccination between September and November for adults aged ≥60 years, particularly those at increased risk for severe RSV disease 1. The frequency of RSV vaccine administration is crucial in preventing severe RSV infection, especially in high-risk populations such as older adults and those with chronic disorders. Specific recommendations include:
- Adults 60 years and older: One dose of either Arexvy or Abrysvo annually, with a preference for administration between September and November 1.
- Adults who have previously received RSV vaccine should not receive another dose, as per the updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 1. The timing of vaccination is critical, as the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, and RSV season typically runs from fall through spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Key considerations for RSV vaccine administration include:
- Co-administration with other vaccines: The RSV vaccine can be administered concurrently with the influenza vaccine 1.
- Prioritization: If the RSV vaccine cannot be made available to all adults aged ≥60 years, it should be prioritized for individuals aged ≥75 years and those aged ≥50 years with risk factors 1.
- Duration of protection: The annual recommendation is based on the seasonal nature of RSV and the duration of protection provided by the vaccine, which may wane over time, necessitating yearly vaccination for optimal protection 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Advise the caregiver that the child will receive one dose of BEYFORTUS by IM injection by a healthcare provider. If the child remains at increased risk for RSV, they may receive a second dose in the second RSV season [see Dosage and Administration (2).
The frequency of RSV vaccine administration is:
- A single IM dose for the first RSV season
- A second dose may be given in the second RSV season if the child remains at increased risk for RSV 2
From the Research
RSV Vaccine Administration Frequency
The frequency of RSV vaccine administration varies depending on the type of vaccine or monoclonal antibody.
- Palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the RSV F protein, is administered intramuscularly, every month during the RSV season, usually 5 doses are required 3, 4.
- Next generation, half-life extended monoclonal antibodies, such as nirsevimab, show promise in protecting infants against RSV LRTI with a single dose that could cover an entire 5-month season 4.
- Nirsevimab has been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to be administered for all infants <8 months of age and for children 8 to 19 months of age who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease as a single dose 5.
- RSV vaccines, such as RSVpreF3 and RSVpreF, have been approved for adults ages 60 years or older to be given as a single-dose intramuscular injection 5.
- The RSV F subunit vaccine has been evaluated in healthy adults with different dosages and formulations, and a single dose of each formulation was well-tolerated and enhanced preexisting NAb titers through six months of follow-up 6.