Objective:
To assess the uptake of the RSV vaccine among hospitalized adults aged 60 years and older during the 2023–2024 respiratory virus season.
Approach:
- Study Design: Analysis of 6,746 adults hospitalized across 26 hospitals in 20 states, focusing on those with RSV-negative acute respiratory illness.
- Demographics Examined: Investigated characteristics associated with vaccine receipt, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, chronic health conditions, insurance status, educational attainment, and community social vulnerability.
Key Findings:
- Only 10.4% of eligible hospitalized patients aged 60 years and older received the RSV vaccine.
- Vaccination rates were higher among adults aged 75 and older, men, and those with chronic pulmonary disease or immunocompromised status.
- Higher education levels and lower community social vulnerability were associated with increased vaccination likelihood.
- Nearly half of unvaccinated patients had not heard of RSV, with low awareness particularly among those with less education and high social vulnerability.
- 41.7% of unvaccinated individuals expressed openness to vaccination in the future, with many wanting to consult their physician first.
Interpretation:
The study highlights significant barriers to RSV vaccine uptake, including low awareness, limited access, and socioeconomic disparities.
Limitations:
- The RSV vaccine was introduced under a shared clinical decision-making model, which may have complicated its implementation.
- Vaccine availability was often limited to pharmacies due to Medicare coverage under Part D.
Conclusion:
['The findings indicate a need for continued monitoring and outreach to improve RSV vaccine uptake.']
Sources:
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
