On September 5, CDC issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and caregivers about increases in RSV activity across some parts of the southeastern United States in recent weeks. These reports indicate a continued shift toward seasonal RSV trends observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, such regional increases have predicted the beginning of RSV season nationally, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the following two to three months. RSV can cause severe disease in infants, young children, and older adults.
In anticipation of the onset of the 2023-2024 RSV season, CDC encourages clinicians to prepare to implement new RSV prevention options. Monoclonal antibody products, including a new, long-acting product, nirsevimab (BeyfortusTM, Sanofi and AstraZeneca), are available to protect infants and some young children at higher risk for severe RSV disease. For all infants ages eight months and younger and infants and children ages eight months to 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV, clinicians should offer nirsevimab when it becomes available, likely in early October.
Additionally, two new vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV disease. For adults ages 60 years and older, clinicians can offer a single dose of either RSVPreF3 (Arexvy, GSK) or RSVpreF (AbrysvoTM, Pfizer) based on shared clinical decision-making between the health care provider and the patient. Clinicians should also talk to their patients about other vaccines available this fall to help prevent respiratory infections. In addition, clinicians should consider testing symptomatic patients with high-risk conditions for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV to inform treatment decisions.
Additional CDC Resources
• RSV Information for Healthcare Providers
• RSV National Trends – NREVSS
• RSV Surveillance and Research
• RSV Symptoms and Care
• Preventing RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
• RSV Vaccination: What Older Adults 60 Years of Age and Over Should Know
• Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years of Age and Over
• Shared Clinical Decision-making: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years and Older
• Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Vaccine for Adults