(399) Real-World Uptake of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Among Older Adults on Immunosuppressive Therapies

Background: : Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. Infants and older adults, especially those with an immunocompromised condition or on immunosuppressive therapies (IT), are at high risk for severe RSV. In May 2023, the first RSV vaccine was approved for individuals at least 60 years of age. However, little is known about the real-world uptake of RSV vaccine especially in high-risk populations.

Objective: : To describe early uptake of the RSV vaccine among Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries aged at least 60 years of age who are receiving IT including corticosteroids, chemotherapy agents, immunosuppressants, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs/biologic treatments.

Methods: : A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted using administrative claims data from Humana. Adults at least 60 years of age and continuously enrolled in an MA plan during the 2023 calendar year were included. Receipt of the RSV vaccine was identified using relevant drug and procedure codes. Use of IT was assessed. Vaccination rates were measured and stratified by type of IT. Chi-squared and t-tests were used to compare RSV vaccination rates for individuals on IT to those that were not.

Results: : Among the 3,837,222 eligible MA enrollees included, overall RSV vaccine uptake was 9.8%. Uptake was higher among individuals on IT compared to those that were not (12.5% vs. 9.7%). IT users had higher comorbidity burden and were more likely to be female, Black race, and reside in the South compared to non-IT users. Among IT medication-specific groups, the highest vaccine uptake was observed in immunosuppressant medication users (14.1%) and the lowest among chemotherapy users (12.0%). All reported measures showed statistically significant between group differences (P values < 0.01).

Conclusions: : Despite being at higher risk for severe RSV-related illness, older adults receiving IT had only modestly higher RSV vaccination rates compared to the overall population, with uptake remaining low across all groups. Such findings highlight opportunities to protect vulnerable individuals by improving vaccine awareness and delivery in high-risk populations. Future research should explore provider- and patient-level barriers to RSV vaccination and interventions to close potential gaps in care.

Sponsorship:: Humana Inc.; No external funding was provided for this research.