RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

There are two RSV vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in adults aged ≥60 years. The CDC recommends that adults aged ≥60 years receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine. The decision to vaccinate a patient should be based on a discussion between the health care provider and the patient based on the patient’s risk for severe illness. Even if you have had RSV in the past, receiving the RSV vaccination can help prevent future respiratory disease from RSV.

View more information about RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over  .

Preventing Severe RSV in children

There are two ways to protect your baby from getting very sick from RSV. One is an RSV vaccine given during pregnancy. The other is an RSV antibody product that provides antibodies to your baby after birth.

1. Getting the RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, if you are 32-36 weeks pregnant during RSV season to maximize protection for babies after birth. This vaccine has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization for babies in the first six months after birth. See CDC press release   for more information.
2. Two monoclonal antibody products–nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and palivizumab (Synagis)–can help protect babies and young children from severe disease from an RSV infection. Monoclonal antibodies are not vaccines. They provide an extra layer of defense that helps fight RSV infections and protect children from getting very sick.
   • Nirsevimab is recommended for all infants who are younger than 8 months and born during – or entering – their first RSV season (typically fall through spring). One dose can protect infants for 5 months, the length of an average RSV season. A dose is also recommended for some children between the ages of 8 and 19 months who are at high risk of severe RSV, such as children who are severely immunocompromised, and who are entering their second RSV season.
   • Palivizumab is limited to children under 24 months of age with certain conditions that place them at high risk for severe RSV disease. It must be given once a month during RSV season.

View more information about RSV immunization for children 19 months and younger  .

Learn more about RSV immunizations from the CDC  .

Visit our RSV page for more information.