The RSV vaccine is a vaccine that provides protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in adults aged 60 years and older. There are two RSV vaccines licensed for use in adults aged 60 years and older in the United States: RSVPreF3 (Arexvy, GSK) and RSVpreF (Abrysvo, Sanofi Pasteur) . The vaccines work by introducing an inactivated RSV protein into the body, where it fuses to host cells and stimulates the immune system to recognize the actual RSV. One dose of the RSV vaccine provides protection against RSV disease in adults ages 60 years and older for at least two winter seasons, when RSV normally circulates. In adults ages 60 years and older with healthy immune systems, one dose of the RSV vaccine Arexvy was 83% effective in preventing lung infections (like pneumonia) due to RSV during the first RSV season after vaccination. During the second RSV season after vaccination, one dose of Arexvy was still 56% effective against lung infections.

Adults 60 years and older should talk with their health care provider about whether RSV vaccination is right for them. There is no maximum age for getting RSV vaccination. If you’re 60 or older, your health care provider might recommend RSV vaccination for you, especially if you have a weakened immune system from illness (e.g., leukemia or HIV infection) or from medications (e.g., treatment for cancer or organ transplant), if you have chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, or if you live in a nursing home. If any of those apply to you, you might be at higher risk of severe RSV disease and an RSV vaccine could help prevent serious illness.

For the 2023-24 RSV season, if you are 60 years or older and your health care provider recommends RSV vaccination for you, you should get an RSV vaccine as soon as it is available in your community, before the number of cases of RSV start to increase, which is usually in the fall.