RSV Vaccine Eligibility Expands

Trial data show noninferior immune response in high-risk adults aged 18 to 49 years.

By
Kathryn Wighton
March 13, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

Objective:

To inform about the expanded eligibility for the RSV vaccine, Arexvy, specifically for adults aged 18 to 49 years at increased risk.

Approach:

Key Findings:

21 million adults under 50 in the US have at least one risk factor for severe RSV infection.
RSV accounts for approximately 17,000 hospitalizations, 277,000 emergency department visits, and nearly 2 million outpatient visits annually among adults aged 18 to 49.
Common adverse events included injection site pain, fatigue, and headache, which were generally mild to moderate.

Interpretation:

The expanded eligibility reflects the significant RSV burden among younger adults with risk factors, emphasizing the critical need for vaccination in this demographic.

Limitations:

The vaccine is not indicated for use during pregnancy.
The trial primarily focused on adults with increased risk, limiting generalizability to the broader population.

Conclusion:

The expansion of the RSV vaccine eligibility is a crucial step in addressing the health needs of younger adults at risk for severe RSV disease, particularly those with chronic conditions.