Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-tnzcf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-12T20:59:41.131Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Acceptability of Antiviral Prophylaxis in a VA Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2026

Alison O’Donnell,
Shaye Kerper,
Mary Connolly and
Robin Jump
Alison O’Donnell
Affiliation:
Veteran’s Administration Pittsburgh Health System (VAPHS)
Shaye Kerper
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
Mary Connolly
Affiliation:
UPMC
Robin Jump
Affiliation:
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.

Background: Post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) residents are disproportionately affected by viral infections such as influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). While chemoprophylaxis is the standard of care for mitigating the spread of influenza in PALTC settings, there are no agents available for chemoprophylaxis against outbreaks of COVID-19 or RSV at present. However, as we advance in our knowledge of antivirals, agents for chemoprophylaxis against outbreaks of COVID-19 and RSV may be available in the future. Little is known about the perspectives of PALTC residents and their care partners regarding the use of chemoprophylaxis against respiratory viruses. Methods: From November 2024 to July 2025, we surveyed residents at a 152-bed community living center (CLC). Inclusion criteria were CLC residents age > Results: Out of 81 eligible residents and LARs, 40% (N=32; 6 residents and 26 LARs) completed the survey. Respondents indicated 9 (28%) and 27 (84%) of residents had an influenza or COVID-19 infection, respectively, during their PALTC stay (Table 1). None recalled an RSV infection though 29 (91%) respondents had previously heard of RSV. Most respondents reported that residents had been vaccinated against influenza (n=31, 97%) and COVID-19 (n=29, 91%), while only 10 (31%) reported that residents had been vaccinated against RSV. Most residents or LARs, on behalf of their resident, indicated they would accept chemoprophylaxis during an outbreak of influenza (n=23, 72%), COVID-19 (n=24, 75%), or RSV (n=25, 78%). Only one resident indicated he would decline chemoprophylaxis for all three viruses. Conclusions: The majority of Veterans, or their representatives, in the PALTC setting would consent to chemoprophylaxis for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV if it were available and recommended by a healthcare provider. Gaining a better understanding of how PALTC residents and their care partners perceive the use of chemoprophylaxis against respiratory viruses can support the effective implementation of these programs.

A table summarizing survey responses on infections, vaccination, perceived risk, and chemoprophylaxis willingness for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.

Information

Type
Long Term Care
Information
Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology , Volume 6 , Issue S1: SHEA Spring 2026 Abstracts , August 2026, pp. s132
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Footnotes

‡

The abstract titles in this supplement have been corrected since original publication. A notice detailing the changes has been published at https://doi.org/10.1017/ash.2026.10802.