A new study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that only 9 percent of older Americans had been vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before this fall and winter, despite the threat of increased hospitalization and death rates. nationwide by virus.
RSV—along with COVID-19 and the flu—makes up the current “triploidy” occurring across the United States this fall and winter. While the elderly, as well as the very young and those with chronic conditions, are usually more affected than others, the good news is that vaccines are now available for all three of these respiratory viruses.”
Simon Haeder, PhD, author of the study
The study, one of the first to address the elderly and people with illnesses, was published in the Health Scholar. It asked 1,345 Americans over the age of 60 about their current RSV vaccination status and their intention to get the vaccine. Although RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms that last a week or two, it can also lead to serious illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60,000 to 160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized with RSV each year, and 6,000 to 10,000 ultimately die from the infection.
The study found that men were more likely to be vaccinated against RSV than women, and that those who were vaccinated had higher levels of worry about the disease, believed they were at greater risk of contracting the disease, believed vaccines were safe and important. and had higher levels of trust in health institutions.
Of the 91 percent of seniors who had not been vaccinated against RSV, 42 percent said they planned to get vaccinated. Vaccine-hesitant respondents reported not needing the vaccine, lacking information about the vaccine, and having concerns about its side effects and safety.
“Although vaccines are 83 percent to 89 percent effective at preventing lung infections, the CDC did not officially recommend them this year, which may also have been a factor,” Heider said. “Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy is increasing globally in response to COVID-19.”
The likely results will be more illness, hospitalizations and deaths among vaccine-hesitants, especially among the very young, the elderly and those with chronic conditions, Heider said.
Haeder’s study is the latest in a series of studies assessing vaccination hesitancy in the United States. Previous studies have examined parents’ intention to seek COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines for their children, as well as adults’ intention to seek COVID-19 vaccines. Haeder also previously assessed vaccination hesitancy among pet owners.
Heider said vaccination reluctance could be addressed through policies that focus on the potential benefits of vaccination and the potential risks of not vaccinating, along with programs — especially for women — that debunk misleading claims about RSV and its vaccines.
“Not only will the unvaccinated put a heavy burden on the health care system, but their diseases could have been prevented or mitigated by vaccinations,” Heider said. “The cost to society will be great and will affect society as a whole.”
Source:
Journal Reference:
Haeder, SF (2024). Intention of US elderly to be vaccinated against RSV in the fall and winter of 2023. Health Scholar. doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae003.
