What to know
- CDC recommends everyone ages 75 and older get an RSV vaccine.
- CDC recommends adults ages 50–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV illness get an RSV vaccine.
- The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine. If you have already received an RSV vaccine (including last year), you should not get another RSV vaccine at this time.
- You can get an RSV vaccine at any time of the year, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall.
Available vaccines
There are three RSV vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults:
- GSK's Arexvy
- Moderna's mResvia
- Pfizer's Abrysvo
These vaccines work by causing an immune response that can protect you from severe respiratory disease if you get RSV in the future. There is no preference for which vaccine you should receive. The RSV vaccine is given as a single dose.
Who should get an RSV vaccine?
CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for all adults ages 75 years and older and for adults ages 50–74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV illness.
Risk factors that increase your risk for severe RSV illness include:
- Age 75 years and older
- Chronic heart or lung disease
- Weakened immune system
- Certain other underlying medical conditions
- Living in a nursing home
For a complete list of medical conditions and risk factors that lead to increased risk of severe RSV illness, see Clinical Overview of RSV.
Who should not get an RSV vaccine?
You should not get an RSV vaccine if you've ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine. Information about the three available RSV vaccines can be found in the manufacturer's package inserts for GSK's Arexvy, Moderna's mResvia, and Pfizer's Abrysvo.
When should I get an RSV vaccine?
If you haven’t gotten an RSV vaccine yet, you can get one at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV usually starts to spread in the community. In most of the continental United States, this means getting your vaccine during August–October.
If you have a moderate or severe illness, you should wait until you recover before receiving an RSV vaccine. If you have a minor illness, such as a cold, you can get an RSV vaccine.
How long do these vaccines work?
One dose of RSV vaccine provides protection against RSV illness in adults ages 50 years and older for at least two years.
Because Arexvy and Abrysvo were originally licensed by FDA in May 2023 and mResvia was licensed in June 2024, CDC is still learning about how long RSV vaccines provide protection.
What are the possible side effects?
Side effects such as pain, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, fatigue, fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain may occur after you get an RSV vaccine. These side effects are usually mild. Patients who have experienced these symptoms when getting other vaccines might be more likely to experience them after getting an RSV vaccine.
For information on RSV vaccine safety, including side effects:
Reporting adverse events
If you experience side effects from an RSV vaccine, you should report them to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your healthcare provider might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS website, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
If you have any questions about side effects from getting an RSV vaccine, talk with your healthcare provider.
- Melgar M, Britton A, Roper LE, et al. Use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines in Older Adults: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72:793–801. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7229a4