Central Florida's RSV season is about to start, making it important to understand the new RSV vaccines. Despite being available since last year, fewer than 25% of Floridians aged 60 or older have received the shots.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, leads to thousands of hospitalizations yearly in the U.S., affecting both young children and older adults. Although often seen as a childhood illness, RSV can also seriously impact seniors, especially in Florida's humid climate.

Understanding RSV

RSV is a prevalent respiratory virus that gained more attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, RSV was seen mainly as a pediatric issue, but it can cause severe illness in older adults as well. Symptoms usually resemble a mild cold but can escalate to pneumonia. The virus spreads through coughs, sneezes, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces.

Annually, RSV results in 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations of children under five in the U.S., with up to 300 fatalities. It is a leading cause of infant hospitalizations. Among older adults, RSV causes up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths each year.

Available RSV Vaccines

Due to the significant health risks of RSV, federal regulators approved vaccines from Pfizer, GSK, and Moderna last year. Moderna's RSV vaccine uses the same mRNA technology as its COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, an antibody drug called nirsevimab is available for infants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises everyone aged 75 and older to get vaccinated, along with those aged 60 to 74 who are at high risk due to chronic heart or lung conditions. Unlike flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the RSV vaccine is a one-time shot for eligible seniors, ideally administered in late summer or early fall.

Vaccine Uptake Challenges

Despite the availability of RSV vaccines, their uptake has been slow. Survey data from May shows about 24% of Floridians aged 60 and up received the vaccine. The CDC's initial "shared clinical decision-making" recommendation, which required discussing the vaccine with healthcare providers, may have posed a barrier.

The RSV vaccines are priced between $280 and $295 per dose, with costs depending on insurance coverage. Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Medicare Part D beneficiaries can get recommended vaccines for free.