Korean J Med > Volume 101(5); 2026 > Article
Infectious disease
The Korean Journal of Medicine 2026;101(5):233-243.
Published online October 1, 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2026.101.5.233   
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines: Who, When, and Which Vaccine? A Practical Guide for Clinicians
Raeseok Lee1,2
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
2Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
호흡기세포융합바이러스 백신의 최신 지견: 누구에게, 언제, 어떤 백신을?
이래석1,2
1가톨릭대학교 의과대학 서울성모병원 감염내과
2가톨릭대학교 의과대학 백신바이오연구소
Correspondence: 
Raeseok Lee, Tel: +82-2-2258-6751, Email: misozium03@catholic.ac.kr
Received: 15 June 2026   • Revised: 8 August 2026   • Accepted: 21 September 2026
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory illness and hospitalization in older adults with chronic cardiopulmonary or metabolic conditions. After six decades without a preventive option, three RSV vaccines are now available: an adjuvanted prefusion F protein vaccine (Arexvy), a bivalent prefusion F protein vaccine (Abrysvo), and an mRNA vaccine (mResvia). All three have shown efficacy against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in older adults and effectiveness against hospitalization after licensure, but none have been compared head-to-head. All three are now approved for high-risk adults younger than 60 years, and Abrysvo alone for maternal immunization at 32-36 weeks of gestation. In the United States, vaccination is recommended for all adults aged 75 years and older and for those aged 50-74 years with risk factors; these recommendations reflect United States public health policy and do not automatically apply to Korean practice. In Korea, Arexvy and mResvia are licensed and Abrysvo is under review, but only Arexvy is marketed and none is included in the National Immunization Program. Post-marketing surveillance has identified a Guillain-Barré syndrome signal with the two protein-based vaccines (fewer than 10 excess cases per million doses), although regulators judge that benefits outweigh risks. This review compares the three vaccines and summarizes practical recommendations for Korean clinicians on patient selection, timing, coadministration, revaccination, and special populations.
Key Words: Respiratory syncytial viruses; Viral vaccines; Immunization; Aged
주제어: 호흡기세포융합바이러스; 바이러스 백신; 예방접종; 노인


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