Last updated April 29, 2024.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two; however, RSV may lead to more severe outcomes and may require hospitalization, particularly among babies and older adults.
RSV can spread when:
- Someone with RSV coughs or sneezes.
- Virus droplets from a cough or sneeze get in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- You have direct contact with the virus, like 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.
Some people can get immunized to protect themselves or their babies from serious RSV illness.
RSV vaccine for those who are pregnant
One way to protect your baby from getting very sick from RSV is to get vaccinated before you give birth.
CDC recommends that those who are pregnant receive an RSV vaccine called Abrysvo during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy from September through January. This vaccination helps protect babies from serious RSV illness after they are born.
Those who are pregnant naturally give antibodies — germ-fighting proteins — to their babies during pregnancy. Because babies need time to develop their own immune systems, the antibodies they receive before they are born are crucial to protect them from diseases during the first few months of life.
When someone who is pregnant gets the maternal RSV vaccine, their body makes antibodies that protect against RSV. They then pass those antibodies on to their baby. These antibodies protect the baby, reducing their risk of being hospitalized from RSV by 57% in the first six months of life. Babies who are born at least two weeks after a pregnant person gets vaccinated are protected at birth, when the risk of severe disease is the highest.
If you are pregnant, ask your prenatal care provider if your insurance covers the RSV vaccine. If you do not have health insurance, or you have government insurance and cannot afford your copay, you may be eligible for a free RSV vaccine through Pfizer’s patient assistance program, Pfizer RxPathways, or you may be eligible for a RSV vaccine at low or no cost from a public vaccine provider.
RSV immunization for babies and some young children
Babies younger than 8 months can get a preventive monoclonal antibody during their first RSV season. This antibody is called nirsevimab or BeyfortusTM. It has been shown to reduce the risk of both hospitalizations and health care visits for RSV in infants by about 80%.
Nirsevimab is given as an injection, like a vaccine, from October through March. It provides infants and toddlers with lab-made antibodies to protect against RSV. This protection is critical during a baby’s first RSV season, when they’re most at risk for severe illness. Most infants do not need protection from both the maternal RSV vaccine given before birth and nirsevimab.
Some older infants and toddlers at higher risk of severe illness can get a dose of this immunization during their second RSV season, when they are between 8 and 19 months old, including:
- Children who have chronic lung disease from being born prematurely
- Children who are severely immunocompromised
- Children with cystic fibrosis who have severe disease
- American Indian and Alaska Native children
Talk with your child’s health care provider about the RSV monoclonal antibody immunization, and ask if your health insurance covers it.
If your child does not have health insurance, they may be eligible for an RSV immunization at low or no cost from a Vaccines for Children provider. The Vaccines for Children program provides immunizations at low or no cost for children who are uninsured, underinsured, on Medicaid or Medicaid-eligible, and/or Alaskan Native/American Indian.
RSV vaccine for older adults
Adults aged 60 years and older can get a vaccine to prevent severe RSV. Two RSV vaccines are available for older adults: Arexvy™ (GSK) and Abrysvo™ (Pfizer).
Adults aged 60 and older are at greater risk than younger adults for serious complications from RSV, in part because immune systems weaken with age. In addition, certain underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of getting very sick from RSV, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and congestive heart failure. Older adults with underlying conditions may especially benefit from getting an RSV vaccine.
If you are 60 years or older, talk with your health care provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you, and ask your health insurance provider if they cover it. If you do not have health insurance, or you have government insurance and cannot afford your copay, you may be eligible for an RSV vaccine at low or no cost from a public vaccine provider.
Everyday RSV prevention
You can take everyday prevention measures to help reduce the transmission of RSV and other respiratory illnesses.
- Stay home when sick.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and mobile devices.
- Some people may choose to wear a mask for extra protection from respiratory viruses. Be respectful of everyone’s choices.