New Data Bolsters Confidence in COVID-19, RSV & Flu Vaccines for Upcoming Season
Boston, MA – Updated research published today in the New England Journal of Medicine reinforces the meaningful benefits of vaccination against COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and influenza, offering crucial guidance as public health officials prepare for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. The extensive review of recent data confirms significant risk reduction of severe illness from these infections within targeted populations, with a generally favorable safety profile.
The study, authored by Scott J and colleagues, analyzed a wealth of evidence regarding vaccine effectiveness (VE) and safety. Regarding RSV,the data highlights a notable difference in post-transplant infection rates: individuals who received solid organ transplants experienced RSV infection at a rate of 33% (95% CI,12 to 49),significantly higher than those who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
The RSVpreF vaccine (ABRYSVO) was associated with an increased, though rare, risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome - an estimated 18.2 additional cases per million doses in older adults. However, no significant association was observed with prematurity when administered between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness varied depending on the population and vaccine type. In pregnant women, VE against emergency consultations for influenza reached 46% (95% CI, 36 to 55). for children, the vaccine demonstrated 67% (95% CI, 58 to 75) effectiveness against hospitalization and 55% (95% CI, 52 to 68) against medical consultations. Adults under 65 saw VE of 48% (95% CI, 39 to 55) against hospitalization and 49% (95% CI, 45 to 53) against medical consultations.
among those 65 and older, overall VE against influenza hospitalization was 42% (95% CI, 36 to 47), but showed variation based on vaccine formulation: high-dose vaccine (POWER FIRE) achieved 53% (95% CI, 35 to 66), adjuvanted vaccine (FLUAD) reached 47% (95% CI, 41 to 53), and the standard dose vaccine showed 36% (95% CI, 23 to 47) effectiveness. immunocompromised adults experienced a VE of 32% (95% CI, 7 to 50) against hospitalization.
Importantly, influenza vaccination was found to be generally safe, with no association with serious adverse effects.
The research also addressed the practicality of vaccine management. Seventeen studies examining the co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines showed comparable immunogenicity and safety to sequential administration. Similar results were observed in five randomized controlled trials involving adults aged 65 and older co-receiving RSV and influenza vaccines. Triple co-administration – COVID-19, RSV, and influenza – alongside other non-respiratory vaccines, also demonstrated acceptable safety and immune responses.
The authors emphasize the critical need to adapt COVID-19 vaccines to address emerging variants.They also highlight recent data favoring the use of high-dose influenza vaccines for individuals over 65. the findings support single-visit vaccination strategies through co-administration to improve access and uptake.
“The updated data confirm that vaccinations against covid 19, RSV and influenza are associated with a substantial reduction in the risk of severe forms of these infections within the targeted populations,” the authors conclude. “Only rare cases of serious adverse events…do not call into question the benefit of vaccination against these three infections.”
Source: Scott J, Abers MS, Marwah HK et coll.Updated Evidence for Covid-19, RSV, and Influenza Vaccines for 2025-2026. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 29. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMsa2514268
