New research reveals RSV vaccine effectiveness among older adults drops significantly over time.
Story Highlights
- RSV vaccine effectiveness declined from initial 80%+ rates to concerning lower levels over months
- Waning immunity raises questions about rushed 2023 approval and inadequate long-term studies
- Healthcare costs may spike as elderly Americans lose protection during peak RSV season
- Research suggests need for booster strategies not addressed in original vaccine recommendations
Initial Vaccine Success Masks Growing Concerns
The FDA approved three RSV vaccines for adults over 60 in 2023 after clinical trials showed impressive initial effectiveness rates of 77-89% against hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Pfizer’s Abrysvo, GSK’s Arexvy, and Moderna’s vaccine entered the market with fanfare, promising to protect America’s most vulnerable seniors from respiratory syncytial virus. However, real-world data now reveals a troubling pattern of declining protection that wasn’t fully anticipated during the approval process.
๐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐ข๐น๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฑ๐๐น๐๐: ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐
Read more:https://t.co/2sCcPvd2bU pic.twitter.com/KfHONis3TO
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) August 27, 2025
Waning Immunity Creates Healthcare System Vulnerabilities
Recent studies demonstrate that RSV vaccine effectiveness diminishes substantially after the initial months post-vaccination, though clinical trials suggested durable efficacy lasting 18-23 months. This discrepancy between controlled trial conditions and real-world performance highlights potential gaps in the original research timeline. Healthcare systems now face the challenge of managing increased RSV cases among previously vaccinated seniors who believed they maintained strong protection throughout the respiratory virus season.
Watch; What to Know About RSV and Vaccines With Dr. Stanley Martin – YouTube
Limited Long-Term Data Exposes Regulatory Shortcomings
The rapid approval process for RSV vaccines reflects a concerning pattern of insufficient long-term safety and effectiveness monitoring that became commonplace during the COVID pandemic era. While the CDC continues recommending vaccination for adults 60 and older, researchers acknowledge significant uncertainty about protection beyond the first year. This knowledge gap leaves healthcare providers without clear guidance on optimal vaccination timing and booster requirements for their most vulnerable patients.
Healthcare providers and families caring for elderly Americans must now navigate the reality that RSV vaccination provides strong initial protection but requires ongoing monitoring and potential revaccination. The economic implications extend beyond individual healthcare costs to broader system impacts as hospitals prepare for potentially higher RSV admission rates among previously vaccinated seniors who assumed they maintained robust protection.
Sources:
JAMA Network Open – RSV Vaccine Effectiveness Study
CDC RSV Vaccine Clinical Guidance for Adults
University of Rochester Medical Center – RSV Vaccines Effective But More People Need Vaccination
Oxford Academic Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases – RSV Vaccine Development
National Center for Biotechnology Information – RSV Vaccine Research
