Vaccines to prevent severe complications from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were highly effective last Fall/Winter, a CDC study shows. The world’s first RSV vaccines were approved in Summer 2023. Newly published data revealed that the vaccines lowered the odds for hospitalization and death by 80 percent. This is especially good news for seniors, who experienced 60,0000-160,000 RSV-associated hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 RSV-associated deaths per year before the vaccine became available.
The CDC advises all Americans age 75 and older to get the RSV each year. The health agency also recommends the vaccine for all adults age 60+ who have a weakened immune system or a chronic condition such heart disease, obesity or diabetes.
