Who should get the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine at age 60?

From the Guidelines

The RSV vaccine should be given to adults aged 60-74 years who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease, as well as all adults aged ≥75 years 1.

Eligibility Criteria

The following individuals are considered to be at increased risk for severe RSV disease:

• Those with certain chronic medical conditions, such as chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic lung or respiratory disease, or diabetes mellitus complicated by chronic kidney disease 1
• Those with moderate or severe immune compromise, including conditions such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia 1
• Those living in nursing homes 1
• Those with severe obesity (body mass index ≥40 kg/m2) or frailty 1

Vaccine Administration

A single dose of any FDA-approved RSV vaccine, including Arexvy (GSK), Abrysvo (Pfizer), or mResvia (Moderna), is recommended for eligible adults 1.

Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety

The RSV vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing hospitalization among adults aged ≥60 years, with estimates ranging from 75% to 82% 1. The vaccine has also been demonstrated to be safe, with a similar effectiveness across different vaccine products and patient age groups 1.

From the Research

Eligibility for RSV Vaccine at Age 60

The following individuals are eligible for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine at age 60:

• Adults aged 60 years and older, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 2, 3
• Older adults who are at risk of developing severe respiratory illness due to RSV, as the vaccine has demonstrated moderate to high efficacy in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease 2, 4

Vaccine Administration and Efficacy

• The RSV vaccine is administered as a single intramuscular injection of 0.5 mL, reconstituted prior to administration 3
• The vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease, with a vaccine efficacy of 61% to 73% in preventing LRTI/LRTD cases 5
• The most common adverse effects of the vaccine include injection site reactions, such as site pain, redness, and swelling 3

Clinical Guidance

• The ACIP recommends that adults aged 60 years and older may receive a single dose of an RSV vaccine, using shared clinical decision-making 2
• The vaccine is approved for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in adults aged 60 years and older, and has the potential to prevent substantial morbidity and mortality among older adults 2, 4