{
  "id": 8971767,
  "title": "RSV Vaccines Are Highly Effective in Older Adults",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/rsv-vaccines-are-highly-effective-in-older-adults",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-21T17:19:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/09/21/rsv-vaccines-are-highly-effective-in-older-adults/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2023, two new vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were introduced, which kills thousands of older adults annually in the U.S. Researchers closely monitored the real-world efficacy of the vaccines after their release, despite concerns that the initial trials might not have reflected the same high efficacy due to lower RSV circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study published in JAMA Network Open on September 18 examined 14.8 million seniors and found that the vaccines reduced the risk of RSV-related hospitalization or death by around 80%. Multiple studies have since found that both vaccines, produced by GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, were highly effective, mirroring the trial results. Both vaccines showed similar performance, with higher vaccine recipients living in affluent areas and being more likely to have been vaccinated against flu and COVID. However, even after adjusting for potential health care access, the vaccines maintained their efficacy. The study raises questions about the need for booster shots, as the initial immunity may weaken over time, potentially requiring a second dose a few years later. Researchers are still exploring this and the development of broader respiratory virus vaccines.",
  "summary": "A sweeping study covering the first year of RSV vaccinations in older adults finds dramatic results.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}