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. 2024 Nov 15;230(5):e1007-e1011.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae424.

Residency in Long-Term Care Facilities: An Important Risk Factor for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization

Angela R Branche  1 , Ann R Falsey  1 , Lyn Finelli  2 , Edward E Walsh  1
Affiliations

Residency in Long-Term Care Facilities: An Important Risk Factor for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization

Angela R Branche et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Older age and comorbid conditions increase risk for severe for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and assisted living (AL) facilities represent an intersection of risk factors. In a 3-year prospective study in Rochester, New York, we compared the population-based incidence of RSV-associated hospitalization for community-dwelling (CD), SNF, and AL adults aged ≥65 years. Their median ages were 76, 83 and 86 years, respectively, and dementia and congestive heart failure (CHF) were more prevalent among SNF and AL residents. The average annual incidences were 117 (95% confidence interval, 104-132), 440 (307-629) and 740 per 100 000 persons (523-1045), respectively, for CD, SNF, and AL adults aged ≥65 years, demonstrating a need for unequivocal RSV vaccine recommendations in SNF and AL residents.

Keywords: RSV hospitalization; RSV population-based incidence; RSV vaccine; Skilled Nursing Facilities; long-term care facilities.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. A. R. B. reports grant funding from Moderna, Cyanvac, Pfizer, Vaccitech, and Merck and serves as a consultant for Novavax, Sanofi, Merck, and GlaxoSmithKline. A. R. F. reports grant funding from Moderna, AstraZeneca, Cyanvac, Pfizer, and Vaccitech and serves as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, Moderna, Merck, and AstraZeneca. L. F. was an employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, when the study was conducted. E. E. W. reports grant funding from Moderna, AstraZeneca, Cyanvac, Pfizer, Merck, and Vaccitech and serves as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, Moderna, Pfizer, Merck, and AstraZeneca. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mean annual incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)–associated hospitalization per 100 000 persons in Rochester, New York, over 3 winter seasons, 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020. The 95% confidence intervals for the point estimates are represented by vertical black bars. Abbreviations: AL, assisted living; CD, community-dwelling; SNF, skilled nursing facility.
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