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RSV Vaccine - Respiratory Syncytial Virus | Walgreens

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines
Schedule your vaccine today.
Schedule now
Vaccines offered at Walgreens vary by state, age and health conditions. Talk to your local pharmacist about availability.
Respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV)
vaccines
Schedule your vaccine today.
Schedule now
Vaccines offered at Walgreens vary by state, age and health conditions. Talk to your local pharmacist about availability.
What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover within two weeks. However, certain groups, such as infants, young children, and older adults, are more likely to develop severe infections including bronchiolitis (an inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumococcal pneumonia.


While many people associate RSV with babies and young children, older adults can also get the virus and are at risk for developing complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 60,000–160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized with RSV each year and 6,000–10,000 die due to the viral infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Runny nose
    • Decrease in appetite
    • Coughing
    • Sneezing
    • Fever
    • Wheezing

    RSV can also worsen serious health conditions, including:

    • Asthma
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe
    • Congestive heart failure — a condition when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body

  • There are two RSV vaccines available in the United States and both have shown to be very effective in preventing RSV.

  • For those ages 60 and older, especially if they have chronic medical conditions or live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, an RSV vaccine should be considered, using shared clinical decision making. This means that people may receive a vaccine based on discussions with their healthcare provider or pharmacist about whether RSV vaccination is right for them.

    The RSV vaccine is also recommended for pregnant individuals ages 18 and older, during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy using seasonal administration, to prevent RSV infection in their newborns. In most of the United States vaccine administration should be between September and January, which coincides with the time of year when RSV infections tend to be the most common.

    • Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any severe allergies.
    • Anyone who is moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting the vaccine.

  • Common side effects include injection site pain, redness and swelling, fatigue, muscle pain, and headache, and nausea.

If you believe you have a medical emergency, please call 911.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html. Accessed: 09/26/2023.

This publication should be used for general educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this publication.