The CDC recommends a single dose of an RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and
older and for people ages 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe
RSV. Adults ages 60-74 are considered at increased risk if they have one
or more of the following risk factors:
* Chronic heart or lung disease
* A weakened immune system
* Certain other medical conditions*, including diabetes with
complications and severe obesity
* Live in a nursing home
*For a complete list of chronic health issues that lead to increased
risk of severe RSV, see Clinical Overview of RSV [3].
If you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get
another one at this time.
How well do these vaccines work? Real-world data gathered during the
2023-2024 RSV season show that RSV vaccines reduced the risk of
RSV-associated hospitalization or emergency department visits by
75%-80%. Importantly, these data include populations that are at highest
risk for severe RSV, including those ages 75 and older, those who are
immunocompromised, and those who live in nursing homes.
If you are eligible for an RSV vaccine, the best time to get vaccinated
is now (late summer through early fall) – before the RSV season
starts!
RSV IMMUNIZATIONS TO PROTECT INFANTS
CDC recommends all babies be protected from severe RSV by one of two
immunization options:
* A maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) given to the mother
during weeks 32 – 36 of pregnancy
* An RSV antibody (nirsevimab) given to the baby.
* RSV antibody should be administered in the first week after birth –
ideally during the birth hospitalization, or shortly before the RSV
season if they are born outside of RSV season.
* Nirsevimab is also recommended for a small group of young children 8
– 19 months of age who are at increased risk for severe RSV.
Most babies will not need both.
Both RSV immunizations to protect infants are administered during
specific months, detailed here:
* For infants born outside of this window (April – September) and for
young children who are at increased risk for severe RSV [4] disease and
entering their second RSV season, the optimal timing for nirsevimab
administration is shortly before the RSV season begins (October or
November).
How good are these immunizations at protecting babies?
Early real-world data show that nirsevimab was 80-90% effective in
preventing babies from being hospitalized with RSV. It provides
immediate protection against RSV and lasts at least 5 months.
CDC continues to gather real-world effectiveness data for maternal RSV
vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo). Our best data at this time continues to be
from the phase 3 clinical trial, which showed the maternal RSV vaccine
reduced the risk of the baby being hospitalized for RSV by 68% and the
risk of having a healthcare visit for RSV by 57% within 3 months after
birth. Additional data shows that maternal antibodies protect the baby
against RSV for approximately 6 months after birth.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a caretaker, or at risk of RSV
yourself, you can help fight against RSV by learning and sharing CDC’s
recommendations with others.
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