Older adults may have a reduced ability to mount an effective immune response1,2
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include older adults, especially those aged 65 years and older.1
Each year in the United States, approximately 177,000 adults 65 years and older are hospitalized due to RSV infection.3
RSV vs Influenza: Annual impact on adults aged 65 years and older1,4
Symptomatic illnesses
Hospitalizations
Deaths
RSV3,4
Approximately
2.2 million
Approximately
177K
An estimated
14K
Influenza5-9
Approximately
1.4 million-5.1 million
Approximately
128K-467K
An estimated
12K-43K
RSV infection in adults usually presents as mild disease with cold-like symptoms, but it can progress to more severe disease involving the lower respiratory tract, such as pneumonia.1 RSV and influenza have overlapping seasonality and similar presenting symptoms and may be difficult to distinguish based on clinical presentation alone.10
RSV=respiratory syncytial virus.
References:
1. RSV in older adults and adults with chronic medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed November 2, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html 2. Del Giudice G, Goronzy JJ, Grubeck-Loebenstein B, et al. Fighting against a protean enemy: immunosenescence, vaccines, and healthy aging. NPJ Aging Mech Dis. 2018;4(1):1-8. doi:10.1038/s41514-017-0020 3. Falsey AR, Hennessey PA, Formica MA, Cox C, Walsh EE. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in elderly and high-risk adults. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(17):1749-1759. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa043951 4. Havers F. Epidemiology and burden of respiratory syncytial virus in older adults in the U.S. Presented at: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; June 23, 2022; Atlanta, GA. 5. Burden estimates for the 2015-2016 influenza season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2015-2016.html 6. Burden estimates for the 2016-2017 influenza season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2016-2017.html 7. Estimated flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States — 2017– 2018 flu season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2023.https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2017-2018.html 8. Estimated flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States — 2018–2019 flu season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2018-2019.html 9. Estimated flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States — 2019–2020 flu season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed February 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2019-2020.html 10. Respiratory syncytial virus in older adults: a hidden annual epidemic. A report by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Accessed September 22, 2022. https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/rsv-report.pdf
