RSV vaccination for the elderly

According to the Health Council of the Netherlands, a vaccination programme against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the elderly and at-risk groups is recommended, but first it should be clear whether and how often repeat vaccinations are necessary. This is the main conclusion of the Health Council in an advisory report to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

RSV is a virus that causes respiratory infections. The virus circulates mainly in the winter months. An RSV infection is generally mild, similar to a cold, but it can also be more serious. This applies to infants, on which the Health Council has previously advised, but also to the elderly – especially if they have a heart or lung condition, for example. There are 3 RSV vaccines available for the elderly. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has asked the Health Council whether an RSV vaccination programme for the elderly is advisable. 

The Health Council’s permanent committee on Vaccinations concludes that vaccination can protect the elderly against severe illness due to RSV. Therefore, they recommend a programmatic offer of RSV vaccination for people over 75, medically at-risk groups and residents of long-term care facilities aged 60 to 75. However, a final decision on the introduction of a programme can only be made once the expected duration of protection is known. The effectiveness of the vaccine decreases after 2 to 3 years, but because the vaccines are new, the effectiveness in the years after that is still unclear. It is also unclear whether the decrease in effectiveness means that it is necessary to repeat the vaccination and if so, how often. Without sufficient clarity about this, a vaccination programme cannot be implemented, according to the committee.