RSV vaccines show benefits as Trump officials narrow recommendations

US officials have limited RSV shots to high-risk infants while recent studies and clinicians report the vaccines have substantially reduced hospitalizations in babies.

US officials last week narrowed recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shots, saying they should be given only to high‑risk infants rather than all babies. The change was announced by the Trump administration and led publicly by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Recent studies and clinicians report that RSV products have substantially reduced hospitalizations in infants since their 2023 approval. Hospitals and public health officials are adjusting practices as the RSV season advances. Key facts: - The administration announced RSV shots will be recommended only for high‑risk infants instead of a universal recommendation for all infants. - Several recent studies and clinicians reported large declines in infant hospitalizations linked to the RSV shots, and published analyses in JAMA were cited. - One study reported about 70% effectiveness for maternal vaccination at preventing hospitalization and about 81% effectiveness for the newborn shot; historically 2–3% of babies were hospitalized with RSV before these products were available. - The FDA has opened an investigation after trial data were discussed; the trials recorded three deaths that were not statistically linked to the shots, and millions of infants have since received the products without broad safety signals. Summary: Experts and clinicians say the RSV products reduced hospitalizations in infants, while federal officials have moved to narrow recommendations to infants described as high risk. Public health leaders and hospitals report potential confusion about who will receive the shots and how they will be supplied and covered. Undetermined at this time.