RSV Vaccine Side Effects
What Is RSV and Who's at Risk?
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory illness that can be serious for older adults and infants. It causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe breathing problems. Vaccines are available to protect against RSV. The vaccines for older adults are about 80% effective at preventing hospitalization or death from RSV complications, according to a large study in The Lancet.
Types of RSV Vaccines Available
Three RSV vaccines have been approved for older adults: Abrysvo, Arexvy and mResvia. These vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies against RSV. They're typically given as a single dose before the RSV season starts. You don’t need to get a new dose each year.
Common Side Effects of RSV Vaccines
Like all vaccines, RSV shots can cause side effects. The most common ones are usually mild and short-lived. These may include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. Some people might experience a low-grade fever. These side effects are signs that your immune system is responding to the vaccine.
Rare but Serious Side Effects to Watch For
While rare, some people may experience more serious side effects. These can include severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), Guillain-Barré syndrome (a neurological disorder), or atrial fibrillation in those with a history of the condition. If you have trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, or severe dizziness after vaccination, seek medical attention immediately.
Who Should Get the RSV Vaccine?
The CDC recommends RSV vaccines for everyone age 75 and older. Adults ages 60 to 74 should get vaccinated if they have a higher risk of severe RSV, such as having chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, severe obesity, or if they live in a nursing home. Pregnant women between 32-36 weeks gestation may also be eligible for a different RSV vaccine to protect their newborns.
Preparing for Your RSV Vaccination
Before getting vaccinated, tell your health care provider about any allergies, current medications, or health conditions. If you've recently had another vaccine, let them know. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your upper arm. After the shot, you'll be monitored for about 15 minutes to ensure you don't have a bad reaction.
Managing Side Effects at Home
Most side effects can be managed at home. For pain or swelling at the injection site, apply a clean, cool compress. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with discomfort or fever. Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. If side effects persist or worsen after a few days, contact your health care provider.
This content was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Photo Credit: ben bryant/Shutterstock
SOURCES:
https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20240807/cdc-revises-rsv-vaccine-guidelines-over-side-effect-concerns
https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20241018/rsv-vaccine-shows-strong-protection-for-older-adults
Mayo Clinic: “Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).”
CDC: “Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine,” “Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Immunization with Monoclonal Antibody for Children 19 Months and Younger,” “Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Vaccine for Adults,” “Overview of Moderna’s Investigational RSV Vaccine (mRNA-1345) in Adults ≥ 60 Years of Age,” “How to Get Your Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines This Year,” “Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunizations,” “Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Pregnant People,” “CDC Vaccine Price List,” “Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years of Age and Over,” “Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine VIS,” “RSV Vaccination for Older Adults 60 Years of Age and Over.”
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: “What To Know About the RSV Vaccines: Who Can Get It, Side Effects, Availability at MSK.”
Yale Medicine: “Should You Get the New RSV Vaccine?”
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: “A Look at Each Vaccine: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody.”
American Academy of Pediatrics: “Is the RSV immunization available for infants?”
Pfizer: “Pfizer Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Phase 3 Study of ABRYSVO® in Adults Aged 18 to 59 at Increased Risk for RSV Disease.”
GSK: “GSK’s RSV vaccine, Arexvy, accepted under Priority Review in US for the prevention of RSV disease in adults aged 50-59 at increased risk.”
American Academy of Family Physicians: “Pregnancy and RSV.”
OSF HealthCare: “RSV's impact on your baby.”
New England Journal of Medicine: “RSV Prefusion F Protein–Based Maternal Vaccine — Preterm Birth and Other Outcomes,” “Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants.”
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: “Two New RSV Products to Protect Infants.”
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: “Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Shot.”
Yale School of Public Health: “RSV Vaccines Would Greatly Reduce Illness if Implemented Like Flu Shots.”
KFF Health News: “Timing and Cost of New Vaccines Vary by Virus and Health Insurance Status.”
Medscape: “Risk for Preterm Birth Stops Maternal RSV Vaccine Trial.”
Moderna: “Moderna Announces Update on Investigational RSV Vaccine,” “Moderna Announces mRNA-1345, an Investigational Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine, Has Met Primary Efficacy Endpoints in Phase 3 Trial in Older Adults.”
MedlinePlus: “What are mRNA vaccines and how do they work?” “Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections.”
Arexvy (GSK) US Medication Guide, May 2023.
NEJM: “Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine in Older Adults.”
Clinical Infectious Diseases: “Immunogenicity, Reactogenicity, and Safety of AS01E-adjuvanted Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prefusion F Protein-based Candidate Vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) When Co-administered With a Seasonal Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults: Results of a Phase 3, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial.”
Journal of Infectious Diseases: “Immunogenicity and Safety Following 1 Dose of AS01E-Adjuvanted Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine in Older Adults: A Phase 3 Trial.”
Open Forum Infectious Diseases: “Efficacy of One Dose of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prefusion F Protein Vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) in Adults ≥ 60 Years of Age Persists for 2 RSV Seasons.”
CDC: "Vaccine Recommendations and Guidelines of the ACIP," "Older Adults are at High Risk for Severe RSV Illness."