Administration of the GSK Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine to Pregnant Persons in Error

Abstract

The GSK and Pfizer respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines are both indicated for adults aged 60 years and older, but only the Pfizer product is approved for use in pregnancy to prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants aged younger than 6 months. To assess for vaccine administration errors (ie, administration of the GSK RSV vaccine to pregnant persons) VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System), a U.S. passive reporting system, was searched for the time period from August 2023 to January 2024. A total of 113 reports of these administration errors were identified. Most reports (103, 91.2%) did not describe an adverse event. These administration errors are preventable with proper education and training and other preventive measures.