RSV prevention in adults: consensus of experts of Polish scientific societies

Adam Antczak; Adam Barczyk; Aleksander Biesiada; Małgorzata Czajkowska-Malinowska; Robert Flisiak; Robert Gil; Marcin Grabowski; Aleksander Kania; Mikołaj Konstanty; Rafał Krenke; Ernest Kuchar; Artur Mamcarz; Aneta Nitsch-Osuch; Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz; Jacek Wysocki; Krzysztof Tomasiewicz

doi:10.5114/fmpcr.2025.154536

eISSN: 2449-8580
ISSN: 1734-3402

Family Medicine & Primary Care Review

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CONTINUOUS MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME)

abstract:

Review paper

RSV prevention in adults: consensus of experts of Polish scientific societies

Adam Antczak

¹

,

Adam Barczyk

²

,

Aleksander Biesiada

³

,

Małgorzata Czajkowska-Malinowska

⁴

,

Robert Flisiak

⁵

,

Robert Gil

⁶

,

Marcin Grabowski

⁷

,

Aleksander Kania

⁸

,

Mikołaj Konstanty

⁹

,

Rafał Krenke

¹⁰

,

Ernest Kuchar

¹¹

,

Artur Mamcarz

¹²

,

Aneta Nitsch-Osuch

¹³

,

Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz

¹⁴

,

Jacek Wysocki

¹⁵

,

Krzysztof Tomasiewicz

¹⁶

Department of General and Oncological Pulmonology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
Department of Pneumology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Polish Society of Family Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland
Department of Lung Diseases and Respiratory Failure, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Pulmonology Center, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
Department of Invasive Cardiology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Pulmonology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Krakow, Poland
Supreme Pharmaceutical Chamber, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Pediatrics with Clinical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
3rd Department of Internal Diseases and Cardiology, Warsaw Medical University, Warszawa, Poland
Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Chair and Department of Health Prophylaxis, Medical University of Poznan, Poznan, Poland
Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland

Family Medicine & Primary Care Review 2025; 27(3): 353-359

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/fmpcr.2025.154536

Online publish date: 2025/09/29

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory pathogen that can cause severe infections and exacerbate underlying conditions in older adults and individuals with comorbidities. While infection in healthy adults is usually mild, in at-risk populations, RSV may lead to worsening of chronic diseases, hospitalization, or even death. Epidemiological surveillance data from Poland indicates a dynamic increase in the number of confirmed RSV infections, driven by broader access to diagnostics. In parallel, the number of hospitalizations due to RSV infection has also increased. Vaccination against RSV represents a new preventive strategy. Although vaccines registered in 2023–2024 provide only limited protection against infection itself, they are effective in preventing severe disease and its complications. Vaccines may be administered year-round, as protection extends minimally across two infection seasons. Since 2024, RSV vaccination in Poland has been publicly funded based solely on demographic criteria. Thus, to maximize the benefits of this preventive measure, universal vaccination is recommended for all individuals ≥ 65 years of age, as well as vaccination of adults aged 60–64 years with risk factors for severe RSV disease. Younger adults should also consider vaccination, especially when multiple comorbid conditions accumulate. Risk factors include chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes, obesity, and immunocompromising conditions.

keywords:

RSV prevention in adults: consensus of experts of Polish scientific societies

Respiratory Syncytial Viruses, vaccination, epidemiology, adult