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

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