Abstract
Purpose of review
To highlight the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease burden and the current developments and challenges in RSV prevention for older adults ≥60 years through analysis of RSV epidemiology and the effectiveness of emerging vaccines.
Recent findings
In industrialized countries, RSV incidence rates and hospitalization rates among older adults stand at 600.7 cases per 100,000 person-years and 157 hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Yet, accurately determining RSV morbidity and mortality in older adults is challenging, thus resulting in substantially under-estimating the disease burden. The in-hospital fatality rates vary substantially with age and geographies, sometimes reaching up to 9.1% in developing countries. Two promising RSV vaccines for the elderly have been approved, showcasing efficacies of up to 94.1%, signifying considerable advancement in RSV prevention. However, concerns over potential side effects remain.
Summary
RSV is associated with a significant burden in older adults. While the landscape of RSV prevention in older adults is promising with the licensure of vaccines from two companies, current trial data underscore the need for additional studies. Addressing the real-world effectiveness of these vaccines, understanding potential rare side effects, and ensuring broad inclusivity in future trials are crucial steps to maximize their potential benefits.
To highlight the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease burden and the current developments and challenges in RSV prevention for older adults ≥60 years through analysis of RSV epidemiology and the effectiveness of emerging vaccines.
Recent findings
In industrialized countries, RSV incidence rates and hospitalization rates among older adults stand at 600.7 cases per 100,000 person-years and 157 hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Yet, accurately determining RSV morbidity and mortality in older adults is challenging, thus resulting in substantially under-estimating the disease burden. The in-hospital fatality rates vary substantially with age and geographies, sometimes reaching up to 9.1% in developing countries. Two promising RSV vaccines for the elderly have been approved, showcasing efficacies of up to 94.1%, signifying considerable advancement in RSV prevention. However, concerns over potential side effects remain.
Summary
RSV is associated with a significant burden in older adults. While the landscape of RSV prevention in older adults is promising with the licensure of vaccines from two companies, current trial data underscore the need for additional studies. Addressing the real-world effectiveness of these vaccines, understanding potential rare side effects, and ensuring broad inclusivity in future trials are crucial steps to maximize their potential benefits.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases |
| Early online date | 11 Jan 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 11 Jan 2024 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Disease burden
- Vaccine
- Older adults
- Respiratory syncytial virus