New research explores attitudes towards winter viruses among older Irish people and their carers
New research has been published, exploring awareness among older adults and their carers in Ireland of the risks of common winter respiratory illnesses. Among the findings was that awareness levels of Respiratory
Syncytial Virus (RSV) are particularly low, despite the condition having a similar ICU admission rate to flu.
The research, which was produced by Ipsos B&A, on behalf of Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, found that there is a far higher degree of concern about chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease than acute illnesses common each winter.
Among carers, 51 per cent stated they were most concerned about long- term illnesses, compared to just 3 per cent who mentioned winter respiratory viruses like RSV, flu, or Covid-19.
RSV awareness
The research gauged awareness among those over 65 of the most common winter respiratory viruses.
It found high levels of understanding of both flu and Covid-19 among older adults surveyed, at 69 per cent and 65 per cent, respectively. Slightly less than half of older adults responding (46 per cent) said they know a lot about pneumonia.
Awareness of RSV is far lower than those other conditions, with just 16 per cent of older adults knowing a lot about the condition. Awareness of RSV among carers is slightly higher at 24 per cent, but still significantly below the other three conditions.
This limited understanding extends to personal experience. Just 8 per cent of all adults believe they have ever had RSV, far below known infection rates as almost every person contracts RSV multiple times in their lives.
An Immunisation Pathfinder Programme has been introduced to protect newborns from RSV. The National Immunisation Committee (NIAC) also recommends that all adults aged over 75 should be vaccinated against RSV, along with those aged 65-to-74 with additional risk factors, and those aged over 60 who are living in long-term care facilities.
This recommendation is based on recent RSV epidemiological findings, which show that among older adults in Ireland, rates of RSV infection and RSV related hospitalisations increase with increasing age. In the 2024/25 RSV season, hospitalisations were 59.6, 96.6 and 208.8 per 100,000 population for those aged 70-to-74 years, 75-to-79 years and over 80 years old, respectively.
Outbreaks
Outbreaks of RSV are common in long-term care settings for adults, with a total of 97 outbreaks reported in the 2024/25 RSV season. Fifty-one of these occurred in nursing homes, with a further 13 in residential institutions and four in community hospitals or long-stay units. These numbers represented a 162 per cent increase on the previous RSV season, in which a total of 37 outbreaks were reported.
A National Immunisation Programme was introduced in Scotland last year for people aged 75-to-79. This has delivered extremely positive results, with 70.6 per cent of eligible older adults in Scotland vaccinated by May 2025. Following the programme’s launch, Scotland observed a 62 per cent reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations in the older adult eligible group during winter 2024-25.
Despite low overall awareness, 85 per cent of respondents still regarded RSV as a potentially serious illness
Commenting, Prof James Chalmers, Asthma and Lung UK Chair of Respiratory Research, University
of Dundee, said: “RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness in older adults worldwide, leading to tens of thousands of hospitalisations each year, yet it remains far less recognised than flu or pneumonia.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the importance of protecting ourselves from respiratory viruses. Alongside hygiene, masks, and managing health conditions, vaccination provides proven protection against severe illness and is a significant step forward for older adults.”
Despite its effectiveness, awareness of the RSV vaccine for adults remains very low in Ireland. Just 18 per cent of adults were aware that it is available for older people. However, there is clear support for improved access:
74 per cent of respondents agreed that their older relative would be more likely to have a vaccine if it were easily available to all.
Severity of infections
When asked about the seriousness of common winter respiratory illnesses, concerns were highest in relation to pneumonia — 91 per cent of those surveyed consider pneumonia to be severe, with 48 per cent seeing it as very severe. Despite low overall awareness, 85 per cent of respondents still regarded RSV as a potentially serious illness, a higher proportion than for either flu (74 per cent) or Covid-19 (73 per cent).
Beyond general awareness, the research explored people’s understanding of who is most at risk from RSV. Most participants recognised that underlying health conditions play a major role in increasing vulnerability, with 80 per cent of adults aged 65 and over identifying this as a key factor.
However, fewer older adults recognised that age itself is a distinct risk factor. Only 68 per cent of those aged 65 and over saw their age as something that heightens vulnerability, compared with 73 per cent of carers.
Deborah Costello, Fundraising & Communications Manager at Friends of the Elderly Ireland, said: “We
are now in the midst of the winter virus season, a time when people are more likely to become unwell with common viruses. As well as the obvious impacts upon their health, this presents social challenges too. Many older adults become more cautious and are concerned about their health during the winter. This can cause them to become isolated and possibly miss out on important social interactions with friends and family. Proactively managing winter wellness helps reduce both health risks and social challenges.”
