Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunizations
Pronounced (sin-SISH-uhl or RSV)
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV. Vaccines for pregnant people or monoclonal antibody products are available to protect infants and young children from severe RSV.
CDC Recommendations
Adults ages 60 years and older
- CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older and adults ages 60-74 at increased risk of severe RSV.
- Adults 60-74 who are at increased risk include those with chronic heart or lung disease, certain other chronic medical conditions, and those who are residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
- RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning older adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season. That means if you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time.
- The best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall — just before RSV usually starts to spread in the community.
Infants and young children
To prevent severe RSV disease in infants, CDC recommends either maternal RSV vaccination or infant immunization with RSV monoclonal antibodies. Most infants will not need both.
Vaccination for pregnant people
- 1 dose of maternal RSV vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, administered September through January. Pfizer Abrysvo is the only RSV vaccine recommended during pregnancy.
Immunization for infants and young children
- 1 dose of the monoclonal antibody product, nirsevimab, for all infants aged 8 months and younger born during or entering their first RSV season.
- 1 dose of nirsevimab for infants and children aged 8–19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season.
- Note: A different monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, is limited to children aged 24 months and younger with certain conditions that place them at high risk for severe RSV disease. It must be given once a month during RSV season. Please see AAP guidelines for palivizumab.
If you have any questions about RSV or the products above, talk to your healthcare provider.