In 2025, significant advancements in the field of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination have reshaped the landscape of public health, particularly affecting older adults, infants, and neonates. New studies have highlighted the life-saving potential of vaccines, which have been instrumental in preventing countless deaths and severe respiratory infections across different age groups. The introduction of vaccines like nirsevimab and clesrovimab has provided robust protection for the youngest and most vulnerable during their first viral seasons.
Here, we delve into the top five RSV-related articles of 2025, as featured on AJMC.com, which underscore the transformative impact of these medical advancements.
Boosting RSV Vaccination in Older Adults Could Save Thousands
In October, a pivotal article shed light on the profound benefits of RSV vaccination among adults aged 60 and older. The research, spanning from August 2023 through July 2028, utilized a multicohort Markov model to estimate the public health impact of the adjuvanted RSVPreF3 vaccine. The findings were striking: vaccinating 13.4 million older U.S. adults could prevent over 700,000 cases of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) and avert 6,025 deaths.
The updated RSV vaccine recommendation in June 2024 now advises that adults 75 years and older, as well as those aged 60 to 74 at increased risk, receive a single dose of an approved RSV vaccine.
This development represents a significant step forward in protecting the health of older populations, who are particularly susceptible to severe RSV complications.
Real-World Data Show Preventive Nirsevimab Reduces Infant RSV Hospitalizations
Nirsevimab, marketed as Beyfortus by Sanofi, continues to demonstrate its efficacy in reducing RSV-associated hospitalizations among infants. A study evaluating its impact during the 2024-2025 RSV season analyzed data from 409,723 infants born between February 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Among these, 47.5% received nirsevimab, resulting in a hospitalization rate of 0.4%, compared to 1.2% in unvaccinated infants.
The study revealed an unadjusted hazard ratio of 0.29 and an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.23, indicating a 71% and 77% lower risk, respectively, of RSV-associated hospitalization for vaccinated infants.
These findings reinforce the critical role of nirsevimab in safeguarding infants during their first RSV season.
Infant RSV Hospitalization Rates Drop in First Season With Widespread Preventive Product Use
The 2024-2025 RSV season marked a significant decline in infant hospitalization rates, attributed to the widespread use of maternal RSV vaccines and nirsevimab. According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the total number of RSV-related hospitalizations among infants aged 0 to 7 months was notably lower compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic seasons.
Data from the RSV-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network showed 11,681 RSV-related hospitalizations during the 2018-2020 seasons, compared to just 6,708 during the 2024-2025 season.
This stark reduction underscores the effectiveness of preventive measures in reducing RSV’s impact on young children.
Nirsevimab, RSVpreF Saw High Uptake With No Preterm Risk for RSVpreF
Nirsevimab and the RSV prefusion F vaccine (RSVpreF) have seen high uptake among their respective target populations. A study involving 647 pregnant individuals eligible for the RSVpreF vaccine showed a 64% uptake rate, with no associated preterm birth risk. Infants born to parents who declined routine prenatal vaccines were still eligible for nirsevimab, with a 40.4% uptake rate.
This high acceptance reflects growing confidence in these vaccines’ safety and efficacy, further bolstering efforts to combat RSV.
FDA Approves Clesrovimab to Prevent RSV in Infants During First Season
In June, the FDA approved clesrovimab, branded as Enflonsia by Merck, providing a second immunization option for infants and neonates. The decision was based on the phase 2b/3 CLEVER trial, which demonstrated a 60.5% reduction in RSV-associated medically attended lower respiratory infections and an 84.3% reduction in hospitalization rates.
Dr. Octavio Ramilo, chair of the Department of Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, remarked, “Enflonsia combines dosing convenience with strong clinical data showing significant reductions in RSV disease incidence and hospitalizations, making it a promising new intervention to help protect infants from RSV.”
The approval of clesrovimab marks a significant milestone in the fight against RSV, offering enhanced protection for the youngest patients.
As the medical community continues to advance in the development and deployment of RSV vaccines, these breakthroughs provide hope for reducing the burden of this pervasive virus. The ongoing research and real-world data underscore the importance of vaccination in safeguarding vulnerable populations and highlight the potential for further innovations in the years to come.
