VACCINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE

of the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Question #3:

Why is this an important vaccine for older adults?

Adults 75 years of age and older, particularly those with certain chronic health conditions are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. Serious outcomes of RSV infection are also seen in adults 60 years of age and older who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities. In addition, adults may be at increased risk of severe RSV disease due to factors that intersect with social determinants of health.

Most RSV infections are respiratory tract infections that present as nasal congestion, cough, low grade fever and loss of appetite and last approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Recurrent infections occur throughout life, with subsequent infections usually less severe than the first until older adulthood, when RSV infection can again lead to severe disease. Severe pneumonia may occur in older adults, particularly among those with certain chronic medical conditions and in immunocompromised individuals of any age.

Mortality is more common among older adults hospitalized for RSV, at approximately 5 to 10% and increases with increasing age and presence of comorbidities. 

Immunization of older adults with RSV vaccine can reduce medically attended RSV respiratory tract infections and hospitalizations due to RSV.

Sources:

Government of Canada: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide