Satellite Symposium: The ABCs of RSV: Implementing the Latest Adult Vaccine Recommendations

This activity has been approved for 1.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to severe disease or even death in older adults and adults with chronic medical conditions. Vaccination prevents severe lower respiratory tract disease; furthermore, recent real-world data have demonstrated that vaccination protects against hospitalization and emergency department visits. Routine RSV vaccination is recommended for all patients aged 75 years and older, and patients aged 60-74 years with risk factors for severe RSV should also be vaccinated. It was estimated that by November 2024 only 40% of adults aged 75 years or older and 32% of adults aged 60-74 years with risk factors for severe disease had been vaccinated against RSV. Certain groups, such as Black and Hispanic adults, have even lower rates of vaccine coverage. Fortunately, approximately 40% of unvaccinated adults indicate that they are open to vaccination. The leading driver of vaccine uptake is recommendation by a healthcare professional (HCP). Therefore, HCPs in all settings, including physician associates (PAs) practicing in primary and specialty care, must assess patients for RSV vaccination and proactively recommend vaccination to all eligible patients to close this gap. Furthermore, PAs must develop skills to discuss RSV vaccination with patients who are hesitant to be vaccinated so that all eligible patients are protected from the potentially devastating consequences of infection.

This educational activity is supported by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.

This symposium is neither supported, sponsored, nor endorsed by AAPA.