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RSV Vaccination in LTC
Three Steps to Boost RSV Vaccination in Long-term Care: Strategies for Protecting This Vulnerable Population

Released: December 10, 2024

Expiration: December 09, 2025

Nicole Osevala
Nicole Osevala, MD, FACP, FCPP
Activity Information

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Key Takeaways
  • Raising awareness and providing education about the RSV vaccine are crucial for increasing vaccine uptake, particularly among long-term care staff, residents, and their families
  • Explaining RSV vaccine safety, efficacy, and common adverse effects using clear, engaging visuals helps older adults understand the vaccine and increases their willingness to get vaccinated.

The importance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines in long-term care settings is defined by 2 key factors: the patient population and the environment. The ages and comorbidities of residents in these settings make them particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections. Additionally, congregate care settings are prone to outbreaks, as we have seen historically with influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccinating vulnerable, older adults is highly important in order to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from respiratory infections.

Locally, in Pennsylvania, I have seen several of our long-term care communities experience RSV outbreaks, with symptoms varying from mild to severe, sometimes requiring hospitalization. This highlights the vulnerability of residents, because it is often difficult to predict which individuals will develop a serious respiratory infection after becoming infected with RSV.

Having practiced in long-term care now for more than 15 years, I have observed larger and more robust RSV outbreaks becoming more common in these settings recently. The likelihood of more severe cases increases when a greater number of residents contract the infection, highlighting the importance of having a vaccine available to protect residents from serious illness and death.

Strategies to Increase Vaccine Uptake
Last year, I found that there was a general lack of awareness about the risks that RSV poses to older adults, not only among residents and family members, but also among our long-term care staff, administrators, and even the director of nursing. Because RSV infections are not seen as frequently as other respiratory infections, many people were unaware of the vaccine’s importance for residents. This lack of awareness was a significant barrier that needed to be overcome.

The RSV vaccine did not receive the same level of media attention as did the COVID-19 vaccines, and I saw this as both a challenge and an opportunity. That is, without the influence of potentially inaccurate external information, we had a greater opportunity for focused education and dialogue.

3 Simple Steps
When discussing the vaccine with older adults, I focus on 3 key points.

First, I explain the nature of RSV infection, its potential severity, and its potential outcomes, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. I emphasize the statistics and the impact of RSV on older adults.

Second, I address the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, as well as its mechanism of action. In my experience, older adults often appreciate when time is taken to explain the process, as it helps them connect the information to their own experiences and increases their willingness to be vaccinated.

After my presentations, it is common for individuals to approach me to express gratitude for this information, emphasizing the importance of understanding how their body responds to vaccination. I have found that providing a bit more depth, rather than oversimplifying the science, is most effective.

Third, I discuss potential adverse effects, clarifying that mild symptoms following vaccination are a natural result of stimulating the immune system. This reassurance helps individuals understand that these effects are expected and not a sign of infection, boosting confidence that the vaccine is working correctly. Visual aids can be particularly helpful in explaining why adverse effects occur and reinforcing that this is part of the body’s natural response to the vaccine, further emphasizing the value of vaccination.

Your Thoughts?
What strategies have you found effective in increasing older adults’ willingness to receive the RSV vaccine in long-term care settings? Get involved in the discussion by posting a comment below!