LAC | DPH - Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a very contagious respiratory virus that can cause cold like symptoms in some, but can cause pneumonia and severe disease in others.
RSV is a significant cause of hospitalizations and death in infants and older adults.
There are several safe and effective immunizations available to prevent severe RSV disease in infants, young children and older adults.

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RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in all infants and can be especially dangerous for infants and children with certain conditions.
Each year in the United States, an estimated 60,000-80,000 children younger than 5 years are hospitalized due to RSV infection.
There are two effective ways to prevent RSV in your infant:
- A maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) can be given to pregnant persons during 32-36 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant persons can then transfer that protection to infants for their first 6 months of life.
- A monoclonal antibody product, called nirsevimab (Beyfortus), can be given to protect infants aged <8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season and for infants and children aged 8–19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and are entering their second RSV season.

An RSV vaccine called Abrysvo is recommended if you are 32-36 weeks pregnant during September through January.
When pregnant people receive this vaccine, RSV protection for their infant starts as soon as the baby is born and will last until they are at least 6 months old.
Pregnant persons can get the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) at the same time as other vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy to protect newborns, including Tdap, COVID-19, and Influenza.

If mom received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy: Most infants who are born to mothers who got the RSV vaccine at least 2 week before giving birth will not need additional RSV immunization.
If mom did not receive RSV vaccine during pregnancy at least 2 weeks before delivery, than infants should get an RSV antibody immunization called nirsevimab (Beyfortus) during RSV season (October-March).
- Infants born between October to March should get a dose of nirsevimab (Beyfortus) within one week of birth.
- Infants younger than 8 months are eligible to get nirsevimab (Beyfortus), but because of a shortage in doses, infants younger than 6 months of age, American Indian and Alaska Native, and infants with conditions that put them at higher risk of severe disease should be prioritized.
- Infants and children 8-19 months of age who are at high risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season should also receive one dose of nirsevimab or palizuvimab.
Monoclonal antibody products provide an extra layer of protection against RSV disease.

Each year in the U.S., between 60,000-160,000 older adults are hospitalized and 6,000-10,000 die due to RSV infection.
Older adults, especially those with certain medical conditions like COPD, asthma, and congestive heart failure, are at higher risk for severe RSV disease.

Adults 60 years and older may receive a single dose of RSV vaccine to protect them from severe RSV disease. Talk to your health care provider to see if vaccination is right for you.
- Arexvy (GSK) and Abrysvo (Pfizer) vaccines are approved for use in adults 60 years and older.
The vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines.