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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

For many people, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a mild illness that causes symptoms like a cold. For some people, especially infants and older adults, RSV can cause severe disease. RSV is most common between October and March. RSV can spread at the same time of year as COVID-19 and flu. It is important for people who are at high risk for severe RSV disease to be vaccinated against RSV.
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What is RSV

Watch a video explaining What Is RSV?

  • Common RSV symptoms include:
    • Runny nose
    • Cough
    • Fever
    • Wheezing
  • Very young infants are also likely to have increased irritability and difficulty breathing
  • RSV can cause severe illness that may need care in a hospital. This can be caused by:
    • Severe inflammation of the small airways in the lungs (bronchiolitis)
    • Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
  • People more likely to need hospital care for RSV include:
    • Infants under one year old, especially infants with underlying medical conditions
    • Adults 50-74 years old with underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or weakened immunity
    • Adults 75 years old or older

How does RSV spread?

RSV can spread from one person to another when: 

  • Someone with RSV infection sneezes or coughs
  • Someone with RSV infection is in close contact with others
  • Touching infected surfaces then touching your face without first washing your hands 

How can I prevent RSV?

To prevent RSV and other respiratory viruses this fall and winter, everyone should:

  • Get vaccinated according to recommendations
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.
  • Stay home from work or school when sick and avoid spending time with people who are at risk for severe disease
  • Avoid crowded areas and maintain physical distance
  • Take steps for cleaner air
  • Wear a mask around others

RSV Vaccines

For Older Adults

RSV vaccine is recommended for:

  • Adults aged 75 and older
  • Adults aged 50-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV, including:
    • Adults with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma
    • Adults with weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV or those having cancer treatments)
    • Adults with certain chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or sickle cell disease   
    • Adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities

You do not get an RSV vaccine every year. If you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one. If you need an RSV vaccine, you can get it at the same time as your flu and COVID-19 vaccines.  Ask your healthcare provider or local pharmacy if RSV vaccine is right for you. 

For Pregnant People

RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant people to prevent RSV infections in their infants: 

  • ​​​RSV vaccine is given once at 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy
    • ​During the months of September through January

Pregnant people should not get the RSV vaccine in more than one pregnancy. If you got it during a prior pregnancy, you should not get it again. Instead, your baby should get the RSV immunization for infants.

It's safe to get the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines you need during pregnancy such as: 

  • Tdap
  • COVID-19
  • Flu

For Infants & Toddlers

Infants can get protection from RSV when their birth parent gets the adult RSV vaccine during their pregnancy OR the infant gets the RSV immunization for infants. In most cases, only one or the other is needed to provide infant protection.

RSV immunization is given to infants from October 1 through March 31, to protect them during the time of year that RSV is around.

RSV immunization is recommended for:

  • Infants younger than 8 months old, IF:
    • their birth parent did not get the RSV vaccine during the current pregnancy;
    • their birth parent’s RSV vaccination status is not known; OR
    • the infant was born within 14 days of their birth parent getting the RSV vaccine.
  • Some children age 8-19 months entering their second RSV season who are at high risk for severe disease including those who:
    • were premature and have chronic lung disease;
    • have severely weakened immune systems;
    • have cystic fibrosis; or
    • are American Indian or Alaska Native.

Talk to your healthcare provider about: 

  • Getting RSV vaccine during your pregnancy
  • Giving RSV immunization to your baby 

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