RSV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Vaccination Intentions

Abstract: Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe illness, especially in older adults. Since the European Medicines Agency approved two RSV vaccines in 2024, it is important to assess the public’s knowledge of this virus. Aims: Exploring knowledge about RSV and identifying associations with vaccination antecedents and vaccination intention. Method: We collected data from 565 individuals over 60 years of age in Germany, assessing their awareness and knowledge about RSV using a novel, pre-tested RSV knowledge scale and RSV-specific 5C vaccination antecedents (confidence, constraints, collective responsibility, complacency, and calculation), as well as their RSV vaccination intentions. Results: Around 50% of the sampled individuals stated that they had never heard of RSV. The RSV-aware sample ( n = 289) showed an intermediate level of knowledge concerning RSV, M ( SD) = 0.58 (0.19). The 5C vaccination antecedents collective responsibility and complacency mediated the relationship between knowledge and intentions. Limitations: As the results are from a survey study, mediation analysis can only be interpreted as correlational evidence. Conclusion: Educational interventions on RSV and respective vaccines are needed, as awareness, particularly about its infectiousness in children and vaccine availability, is low in the target group.