Each year, up to 160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and as many as 10,000 die from the disease. In 2023, a new vaccine was approved to help protect older adults from severe RSV illness. However, according to the most recent data, only 24% of older adults have received an RSV vaccine.
Today, the American Lung Association is launching an educational campaign to raise awareness about RSV and steps to help prevent infection. The campaign will prioritize groups at the highest risk for severe illness from RSV, including adults 60 or older living with chronic lung disease.
"RSV poses a serious threat, particularly to older adults and those with certain chronic medical conditions. Raising awareness about protection through vaccination is critical to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations during the respiratory virus season," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "We encourage individuals 60 and older to talk to their healthcare providers about whether RSV vaccination is recommended for them."
RSV is a highly contagious virus that spreads through close contact with infected individuals, typically increasing during the fall and peaking in winter. While most people develop mild cold-like symptoms, older adults and those with pre-existing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or chronic heart disease are at greater risk of severe complications such as pneumonia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends RSV vaccination for adults 75 years and older and for adults aged 60 to 74 who are at high risk for severe disease. The ideal time for vaccination is in late summer or early fall before the virus spreads widely. RSV vaccination is not recommended annually; no additional doses are needed once vaccinated.
In addition to vaccination, the Lung Association encourages practicing healthy habits to reduce the spread of respiratory infections.
The latest National Immunization Survey (NIS-ACM) data from May 2024 indicates disparities in RSV vaccination coverage: 27% of white/non-Hispanic adults have received an RSV vaccine compared to 21% of Black/non-Hispanic adults and 15% of Hispanic/Latino adults. The Lung Association's campaign seeks to reach communities disproportionately affected by RSV, including Black and Hispanic/Latino populations who are more likely to have underlying conditions that increase the risk of severe illness.
This fall, the American Lung Association is launching an awareness campaign supported by GlaxoSmithKline. For more information on RSV prevention and vaccination, visit Lung.org/rsv.
