Clinical and Economic Projections for RSV Vaccine Effectiveness in Older Adults
A study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases examines the potential impact of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccines for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults aged 60 and older, with promising results suggesting significant health benefits.
A cohort model was used to study clinical outcomes and economic costs of RSV lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) over 2 years with different vaccines among 2.4 million adults over 60 in a US health plan with 10 million beneficiaries. The projected outcomes were based on age, comorbidity profile, disease rates, calendar month, case fatality rates, and vaccination status. Initial vaccine effectiveness and waning of effectiveness were determined from phase III clinical trial data. The economic costs were calculated based on cases and associated unit costs. The study included factors such as hospitalization, emergency department visits, outpatient care, and vaccination uptake rates.
An estimated 14 687 hospitalizations, 11 201 emergency department encounters, 132 472 primary or hospital outpatient visits, and 1230 RSV-related deaths are projected over 2 years without the use of the RSV vaccine. Pfizer's RSVpreF would result in a reduction of 22 301 cases, 227 fewer deaths, and lower total medical care costs by $86.0 million. GSK's RSVpreF3 would reduce cases by 16 183, deaths by 205, and lower medical care costs by $76.8 million. Moderna's mRNA-1345 would reduce cases by 9357, deaths by 112, and lower medical care costs by $43.2 million, based on single-season efficacy data.
“RSV vaccines have the potential to substantially reduce the clinical and economic burden of RSV-LRTI in older adults. Of the 3 vaccines, Pfizer’s RSVpreF would provide the greatest benefit due to its high 2-year efficacy,” researchers said.
Reference
Averin A, Sato R, Chilson E, Atwood M, Quinn E. P-603. Potential public health impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for prevention of RSV among older adults in the United States. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2025;12(1). doi:10.1093/ofid/ofae631.801
