RSV vaccine uptake among Medicare Advantage enrollees: August 2023 to December 2024
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common causes of respiratory tract infections, disproportionately affecting young children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions. In the US, RSV vaccine recommendations by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for adults were first issued in 2023 and have since evolved. Uptake of the RSV vaccine by eligible US adults has been slower than expected, with approximately one-fifth (21.0%) of adults aged ≥ 65 years enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service plans receiving the vaccine in the first season of availability. We analyzed RSV vaccine uptake over two seasons among older adults enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Overall RSV vaccine uptake was higher in the 2023/2024 season compared with the 2024/2025 season, peaking in October of both years. Adults ≥ 75 years had higher vaccine uptake than those 65-74 years. Vaccination was highest among groups at increased risk for severe RSV illness. Among approximately 1.7 MM individuals who met the 2024 CDC recommendations for vaccination, roughly 80% did not have evidence of RSV vaccination. Targeted strategies are needed to further reach adults who are at increased risk for severe RSV illness.
Authors
- Kimbal D. Ford
- Brandon T. Suehs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4708-7484)
- Vishal Saundankar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4284-2906)
- Reiko Sato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2785-7103)
- Edward W. Casey
- Richard L. Sheer
- Robyn Moucka
- Chris Barger
- Pamela Smith
Publication Details
- Journal
- Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
- Published
- 2026-10-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2026.2745402
- Primary Topic
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Pfizer