RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (2024)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends eligible individuals receive a single dose of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Age and state restrictions apply.

Schedule your vaccinations

RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (1)

Important information about RSV vaccines

As of June 27, the CDC updated its recommendation for the use of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. The CDC recommends that the following adults get one dose of the RSV vaccine to provide protection against serious RSV illness. This is for adults who have not already received an RSV vaccine.

  • People 75 years or older
  • People between 60 and 74 years old and at increased risk of severe RSV (have certain chronic health conditions or live in a nursing home)

Women who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant during September through January are recommended by the CDC to get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine to help protect their babies. Eligible patients may now schedule their vaccines at CVS Pharmacy®.

Schedule your vaccinations

RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (2)

What you should know about RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)

RSV is a common respiratory virus

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can be serious for older adults or infants. This virus can cause more severe infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, so it’s important to take preventative measures.

Schedule your vaccinations

RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (3)

The RSV vaccine can help prevent serious respiratory disease

The vaccine can help prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. The RSV virus is commonly spread through direct contact with the virus. It can also be spread by touching a surface that has the virus on it.

Schedule your vaccinations

RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (4)

Important information about RSV vaccines

  • The CDC recommends that the following adults should get one dose of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine to provide protection against serious RSV illness. This is for adults who have not already received an RSV vaccine.
    • People 75 years or older
    • People between 60-74 years old and at increased risk of severe RSV (have certain chronic health conditions or live in a nursing home)
  • Women who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant during September through January are recommended by the CDC to get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine to help protect their babies.

Schedule your vaccinations

RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (5)

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RSV frequently asked questions

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus.
Further information about RSV can be found here.

In most cases, an RSV infection clears within a week or two on its own. Initial signs of RSV are similar to mild cold symptoms. These can include congestion, cough, fever, a runny nose and a sore throat.

Symptoms of an RSV infection usually appear four to six days after exposure and can include the following:

  • Coughing
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Wheezing

Symptoms of RSV in adults that require urgent care can include the following:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dehydration, from not drinking necessary fluids
  • Worsening symptoms

These symptoms usually appear in phases and not all at once.

Because mild RSV symptoms are similar to the common cold, testing usually isn't required to diagnose the infection.

However, your health care provider may suspect RSV based on your medical history, the time of year and a physical exam. In this case, they may want to run laboratory tests (to confirm the diagnosis with a mouth swab or a blood test to check white blood cell counts and look for viruses).

More information on an RVS diagnosis can be found here.

Each year, it’s estimated that between 60,000 and 160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized and between 6,000 and 10,000 die due to RSV infection.

Older adults and people living in long-term care facilities are at a greater risk for severe infection and pneumonia. Older adults with existing medical conditions, like chronic lung disease and heart disease, are especially at risk.

People with immunodeficiencies are at risk of RSV becoming severe or life-threatening.Those at risk include recipients of organ transplants and patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

People do not form an immunity to RSV, so they can become infected repeatedly over their lifetime.

RSV is spread from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected.

You can get the virus when:

  • An infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • Virus droplets from a cough or sneeze get into your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • You have direct contact with the virus,such as by kissing the face of a child with RSV.
  • You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands.

It takes between two and eight days from the time of RSV exposure for someone to become ill. People infected with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness.

The peak season for RSV infection in the United States is fall through spring.

Learn more about how RSV is spread here.

According to the CDC, there are easy ways available to help prevent the transmission of RSV and other viruses. This is especially important if you have a loved one who is at risk for severe infection.

  • Wash your hands often: Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Keep your hands off your face: Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people: Avoid kissing, shaking hands and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who have cold-like symptoms.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces: Viruses can live on surfaces and on objects that people frequently touch, such as toys and doorknobs.
  • Stay home when you are sick: If possible, stay away from work, school and public areas.

Yes. Eligible pregnant people at 32 through 36 weeks gestational age may schedule an RSV appointment to help protect babies from severe RSV disease using the digital scheduler on CVS.com® or in the CVS Pharmacy app.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is estimated to cause 58,000 to 80,000 children under the age of 5 years old to be hospitalized each year in the US. Infants 6 months and under are especially at risk for severe illness. By getting vaccinated in weeks 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy, RSV protection is passed on to the baby if born at least two weeks after vaccination. An FDA-approved and CDC-recommended RSV vaccine can reduce the risk of a baby being hospitalized from RSV by 57% in the first six months after birth.

People who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant during September through January are recommended by the CDC to get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies. RSV season can vary around the country, so talk to your pharmacist or health care provider about when RSV season is expected where you live.

Patients should check with their insurer to confirm if the vaccine is covered by their individual plan.

After RSV vaccination, you may experience pain, redness or swelling where the shot was given. Other side effects include diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, and nausea.

Further information on RSV side effects is available here.

The new RSV vaccine is available across most of our more than 9,000 CVS Pharmacy® locations nationwide. Patients should check with their insurer to confirm if the vaccine is covered by their individual plan.

Researchers are working to develop pediatric preventative options to help protect infants and young children from severe RSV, but there is no vaccine currently available for this population yet.

  • *FOR VACCINATION AVAILABILITY: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Availability varies by state based on regulations. This is not an all-inclusive list of who should be vaccinated. Age restrictions apply. Consult with your health care provider or talk to your CVS Pharmacy® certified immunizer to see if any of these vaccines are right for you. See the immunization scheduler for details.

RSV Vaccine For Adults –RSV Prevention | CVS Pharmacy (2024)

FAQs

Is there a vaccine for adults to prevent RSV? ›

Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV usually starts to spread in communities. In most of the continental US, this means the ideal time for vaccination is between August and October.

Do I need a prescription for the RSV vaccine? ›

The CDC recommends that adults age 65 and older get an RSV vaccine. Adults 60 to 64 can get a prescription after talking to their doctor or other health care provider. The CDC recommends that adults 60 and older receive an RSV vaccine after talking to their doctor or other health care provider.

Is the RSV vaccine available now? ›

There are three RSV vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in adults aged 60 and older in the United States. CDC recommends all adults ages 75 and older get an RSV vaccine. CDC recommends RSV vaccines for all adults ages 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.

How effective is the RSV vaccine in adults? ›

Vaccine effectiveness

During clinical trials, RSV vaccines for people ages 60 and older reduced the risk of symptomatic lower respiratory tract disease by 80%-90% in the first season after RSV vaccination.

Does insurance cover the RSV vaccine? ›

Your drug plan won't charge you a copayment or deductible for vaccines that ACIP recommends. If the RSV shot isn't on your plan's drug list (formulary) yet, you can ask the plan for a coverage exception. You can also pay for the shot out of pocket and then follow-up with your plan to get reimbursed.

Why was the RSV vaccine discontinued? ›

While the vaccine was shown to reduce the risk of babies contracting RSV, they stopped enrollment in the trial early due to the safety concerns, researchers recount in an analysis published March 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

How long does RSV immunity last? ›

According to a 2021 review of studies, your risk of getting RSV again after an initial infection is about 70% lower within the first 6 months. Research suggests that your body starts to have an immune response to RSV within 5 to 10 days . That protection lasts anywhere from 3 to 12 months before it starts to decline.

Is there an over the counter RSV? ›

There's no cure or specific treatment for RSV. Adults with mild RSV illness can use home remedies like honey and over-the-counter cough and cold medications to relieve symptoms. Adults with more serious RSV illness need additional support with therapies like oxygen, steroids, and IV (intravenous) hydration.

Should grandparents get the RSV vaccine? ›

CDC Recommendations

CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older and adults ages 60-74 at increased risk of severe RSV.

Which RSV vaccine does Walgreens have? ›

The Food and Drug Administration approved the first RSV vaccines, made by Pfizer and GSK, last spring. Walgreens is offering both Pfizer's and GSK's shots, which are administered as a single dose.

How long is the RSV shot good for? ›

For now, only one dose of the RSV vaccine is recommended. So far, RSV vaccines appear to provide some protection for at least two RSV seasons. Additional evaluation is planned to assess how long the protection lasts and whether additional doses will be needed.

Is the RSV vaccine FDA approved for adults? ›

GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Arexvy (Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine, Adjuvanted) for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in adults 50 through 59 years of age who are at increased risk.

Can you get a shot to prevent RSV? ›

CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for pregnant people from week 32 through week 36 of pregnancy for the prevention of RSV disease in infants under 6 months of age. This vaccine is recommended to be given from September through January for most of the United States.

Which RSV vaccine is best for seniors? ›

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated respiratory syncytial virus vaccination recommendations for adults 60 and older. Adults aged 60-74 at increased risk for RSV and all aged 75 and older are recommended a single dose of the GSK, Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Why is RSV vaccine difficult? ›

Like the chickenpox and measles vaccines, this RSV vaccine is made from a weakened live virus. With this type of vaccine you always have to play a balancing game between weakening the virus and creating a large enough immune response to provide long-term protection from infection.

How do you prevent RSV in adults? ›

There is no specific treatment for RSV infection, so fluids and rest are the best advice for mild symptoms. If you have COPD or asthma, be sure to maintain use of prescribed medications to reduce breathing difficulties and speak with your healthcare provider if you think your medications might need to be adjusted.

What is the new RSV prevention? ›

Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody product that offers protection against RSV infection during the RSV season.

When did the RSV vaccine come out for adults? ›

In May 2023, Arexvy was approved for adults aged 60 and older, making it the first FDA-approved RSV vaccine. In May 2023, the FDA's expert panel unanimously recommended Abrysvo for approval in pregnant women.

Can parents get vaccinated for RSV? ›

Yes. While we've had vaccines for other viruses like COVID-19, the flu and chickenpox, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved an RSV vaccine for adults. The same RSV vaccine can also be used for pregnant people, while an immunization that protects against RSV for babies is also available.

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