RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine

RSV vaccine helps protect against virus that causes RSV disease.

There are different types of RSV vaccines. The differences between the vaccines are based on how they are made and which individuals should receive them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a one-time dose for adults 75 years of age or older and also for adults 60–74 years of age who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.

CDC also recommends that pregnant women receive seasonal (September to January in most of the United States) vaccination at 32 through 36 weeks gestational age to prevent RSV infections in infants younger than 6 months of age.

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine:

• Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of RSV vaccine or has any severe, life-threatening allergies

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone RSV vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting RSV vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more information.

Side effects that have been reported with RSV vaccine include:

• Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness where the shot is given
• fever
• feeling tired
• headache
• nausea
• diarrhea
• muscle or joint pain

Serious neurologic reactions, including Guillan-Barre Syndrome (GBS), have been reported very rarely after RSV vaccine in clinical trials. In a study of adults 65 years of age and older an association between vaccination with RSV vaccine and development of GBS within 42 days was reported. Tell your provider if you have sudden weakness, tingling in the hands or feet, or pain.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at https://www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff does not give medical advice.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP website at https://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and about filing a claim.

• Ask your healthcare provider. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts and additional information at https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or visit CDC's website at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Information Statement. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Immunization Program. 10/17/2024.