RSV Vaccination: Clarifying Risk in a Growing Adult Population

Vaccination for Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has received significant attention recently, which can increase anxiety around confirming immunization status for those at highest risk. Clear, evidence-based education remains essential, as current RSV vaccination recommendations do not always align with the breadth of risk across the adult population. Recent research found that more than one-quarter of U.S. adults have at least one diagnosed risk factor for severe RSV disease, based on an analysis of over 233 million adults aged 20 and older (Horn et al., 2025). These findings highlight the importance of proactive communication and targeted outreach to ensure at-risk populations are appropriately identified, informed, and supported.

Horn, E. K., Singer, D., Booth, A., Nguyen, H., Saiontz-Martinez, C., & Berger, A. (2025). Prevalence and age at diagnosis of risk factors for severe respiratory syncytial virus disease among U.S. adults: An analysis of 2011–2020 NHANES data. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 19(12). https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.70181