VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine:

What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

RSV vaccine can prevent lower respiratory tract 

disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually 

causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

RSV can cause illness in people of all ages but may 

be especially serious for infants and older adults.

 Infants up to 12 months of age (especially those 

6 months and younger) and children who were 

born prematurely, or who have chronic lung or 

heart disease or a weakened immune system, are at 

increased risk of severe RSV disease.

 Adults at highest risk for severe RSV disease 

include older adults, adults with chronic medical 

conditions such as heart or lung disease, weakened 

immune systems, or certain other underlying 

medical conditions, or who live in nursing homes 

or long-term care facilities.

RSV spreads through direct contact with the virus, 

such as droplets from another person’s cough or 

sneeze contacting your eyes, nose, or mouth. It can 

also be spread by touching a surface that has the 

virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touching your 

face before washing your hands.

Symptoms of RSV infection may include runny nose, 

decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, or 

wheezing. In very young infants, symptoms of RSV 

may also include irritability (fussiness), decreased 

activity, or apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 

10 seconds).

Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV 

can be serious, resulting in shortness of breath and 

low oxygen levels. RSV can cause bronchiolitis 

(inflammation of the small airways in the lung) 

and pneumonia (infection of the lungs). RSV can 

sometimes lead to worsening of other medical 

conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease (a chronic disease of the lungs 

that makes it hard to breathe), or congestive heart 

failure (when the heart can’t pump enough blood 

and oxygen throughout the body).

Older adults and infants who get very sick from RSV 

may need to be hospitalized. Some may even die.

2. RSV vaccine

CDC recommends adults 60 years of age and older 

have the option to receive a single dose of RSV 

vaccine, based on discussions between the patient 

and their health care provider.

There are two options for protection of infants 

against RSV: maternal vaccine for the pregnant 

person and preventive antibodies given to the 

baby. Only one of these options is needed for most 

babies to be protected. 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. However, in some locations (the 

territories, Hawaii, Alaska, and parts of Florida), the 

timing of vaccination may vary as RSV circulating 

in these locations differs from the timing of the RSV 

season in the rest of the U.S.

RSV vaccine may be given at the same time as other 

vaccines.
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

Vaccine Information Statement

RSV Vaccine 10/19/2023

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

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.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Pain, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, 

fatigue (feeling tired), fever, headache, nausea, 

diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain can happen after 

RSV vaccination.

Serious neurologic conditions, including GuillainBarré syndrome (GBS), have been reported after 

RSV vaccination in clinical trials of older adults. It is 

unclear whether the vaccine caused these events.

Preterm birth and high blood pressure during 

pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, have been 

reported among pregnant people who received RSV 

vaccine during clinical trials. It is unclear whether 

these events were caused by the vaccine.

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.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

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 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 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 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 www.cdc.gov/vaccines.