Public Concern of RSV Infection Has Decreased as Flu and COVID-19 Remain a Worry

In a health survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, investigators found that the public has become less worried on contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the past year, compared with COVID-19 and influenza (flu).¹

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These results contradict with the 100,000 older adults and 58,000 or more infants and children that remain hospitalized on average annually in the US due to RSV infection, according to research published by the CDC. Additionally, the CDC noted that more 6000 or more older adults and 100 or more young children die annually from RSV or RSV-associated outcomes.¹

“It is possible that memories of last year’s winter holiday surge in respiratory illnesses and of the 2022-23 ‘tripledemic’ of COVID-19, flu, and RSV respiratory viruses have faded,” said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania and director of the survey, in a news release.¹

COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases have begun circulating and CDC data displayed an uptick in COVID-19 cases, but no reported increase for RSV or influenza has been noted. However, David Ha, PharmD, BCIDP, manager of infectious diseases at Stanford Health Care said in session at the National Community Pharmacists Association 2024 Annual Convention and Expo, that an increase is inevitable for respiratory illnesses. Ha noted that the seasonal peak in the hospitalization burden for the 2024/2025 season is expected to be similar or slightly lower than the 2023/2024 season.²

The survey included around 1700 US adults conducted in September 2024. The results found that 1 in 4 people (26%) surveyed fear about getting or having a family member infected with RSV over the next 3 months, compared to 1 in 3 (35%) that were worried in October 2023. Further results found that 33% of individuals are worried about a family member getting infected with COVID-19 in the next 3 months, while 37% are worried about the flu. The study authors noted that results for COVID-19 and the flu did not display a significant change from the 2023 season.¹

In the summer of 2023, the FDA approved 2 RSV vaccines to provide protection for infants and older adults that are at the greatest risk for severe RSV outcomes. Additionally, the CDC indicated that pregnant individuals should receive a vaccine at 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect babies born in the RSV season. Despite the endorsement, only 46% of surveyed individuals were aware of this approved maternal indication and 4% said there was no such vaccine. However, the study authors noted that awareness has increased since August of 2023, as only 12% were aware of the maternal vaccine. Additionally, there was a decrease among individuals that were unsure of the indication from 70% in August 2023, to 50% in the current survey.¹

“We are seeing increased awareness of RSV vaccines…if this translates into increased immunization rates, we could reduce their hospitalization rates,” said Laura A. Gibson, the senior data analyst at APPC who analyzed the RSV data, in a news release.¹

For older adults, the CDC recommended all adults aged 75 and older receive an RSV vaccine, as well as adults aged 60 to 74 who are at an increased risk of severe RSV. The recommendation was updated by the CDC in June 2024, from the previous indication of shared clinical decision making for adults aged 60 and older. Additionally, 54% of surveyed individuals said they received an RSV vaccine (3%), or they would be likely to recommend it to a friend or family member aged 60 or older who are at an increased risk (51%).¹

While not all cases of RSV are severe, only 6% of surveyed individuals reported to know someone 60 years or older that had RSV; however, around 69% of cases among older adults are more serious, according to study authors.¹

The findings suggest that further education is needed for the public on the severity of RSV, with such information highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated as we approach peak RSV season.

REFERENCES

1. Public Worry About RSV Has Faded, Unlike Flu and Covid-19. Annenberg. News release. October 14, 2024. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/public-worry-about-rsv-has-faded-unlike-flu-and-covid-19/.

2. Antrim A. NCPA 2024: Latest Updates on Respiratory Vaccines. Pharmacy Times. News release. October 26, 2024. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/ncpa-2024-latest-updates-on-respiratory-vaccines.