• Three RSV vaccines are licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults 50 and older.
• A single dose of RSV vaccine (Arexvy [GSK], Abrysvo [Pfizer], or MRESVIA [Moderna]) is recommended for use in adults 50 years and older.
• RSV vaccine is not recommended for adults who previously received a dose.
• RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines.
• The maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) can be given to pregnant persons during 32 – 36 weeks gestation from September 1 - January 31st to protect their infants from severe disease during the infant's first RSV season.
• RSV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant people who received it during a previous pregnancy. However, these infants can receive monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab or clesrovimab).
• Both nirsevimab (Beyfortus™, Sanofi) and clesrovimab (ENFLONSIA™, Merck) help protect infants and toddlers from severe illness during RSV season. RSV immunization is recommended for:
• Infants aged <8 months, born during or entering their first RSV season (October 1 to March 31)
• Infants and toddlers ages 8 – 19 months entering their second RSV season at high risk for severe disease. Only nirsevimab is approved for use in this age group.
• You may get flu, COVID-19 vaccines, and RSV immunizations at the same visit, making it easier to stay up to date with CDC recommendations.

How well do RSV immunizations work?

• RSV immunization effectiveness varies depending on vaccine given, previous doses, age, time, and medical history.
• In older adults, the RSV vaccines are at least 73-83 % effective in preventing RSV-associated emergency visits and hospitalizations in adults ages 60 years and older.
• In pregnant people, the maternal RSV vaccine is at least 68% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations in babies.
• In infants and young children, nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is at least 80-90% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations in babies. Based on clinical trials, clesrovimab appears to be similarly effective.

Side effects from RSV vaccine are usually mild. Common side effects may include:

• Redness, swelling, and pain at the site of injection
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Muscle or joint pain

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health endorses California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) respiratory virus season immunization recommendations for the 2025-2026 respiratory season. This guidance was developed in collaboration with California partners in the West Coast Health Alliance and informed by national medical groups, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Who SHOULD get immunized:
Immunization recommendations vary depending on age, health factors and other medical conditions.

• Adults 75 years and older.
• Adults ages 50 to 74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. This includes:
• Persons with chronic heart or lung disease
• Persons with a weakened immune system
• Persons with other medical conditions, such as diabetes and obesity
• Persons living in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• Pregnant people at 32 – 36 weeks gestation (Abrysvo only).
• Additionally, infants younger than 8 months of age who were born during, or are entering their first RSV season should receive a RSV immunization (nirsevimab [Beyfortus] or clesrovimab [ENFLONSIA]) if:
• The mother did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy.
• The mother's RSV vaccination status is unknown.
• The infant was born within 2 weeks of maternal RSV vaccination.
• Most infants whose mothers got the RSV vaccine don't need to get a RSV immunization.
• Young children 8 to 19 months old who are at an increased risk of severe RSV. This includes:
• Children with chronic lung disease of prematurity
• Children with a weakened immune system
• Children with severe cystic fibrosis
• American Indian or Alaska Native children

Who should NOT get immunized (if applicable):

• Anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine.
• Adults who received a previous dose of RSV vaccine.
• Pregnant persons who were previously vaccinated.
• Babies who are already protected because their mother received a maternal vaccine during pregnancy.

There are many places to get RSV immunization. If you have insurance, talk to your doctor or check with your local pharmacy to see what immunizations are offered. Most health insurances cover the cost of all recommended immunizations for children and adults. California state law ensures Californians have insurance coverage for immunizations recommended by the California Department of Public Health at no cost.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are programs available to help cover the cost of immunizations. Children who are 18 years of age or younger are eligible to receive immunizations at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program if they are:

• Eligible for or are enrolled in Medi-Cal
• American Indian or Alaskan Native
• Uninsured (do not have health insurance)
• Underinsured (private health insurance does not cover the full cost of immunizations)

Click to see if your child is eligible to receive VFC vaccines.

NOTE: Nirsevimab is also available for VFC – eligible children at LAC Public Health Centers. Contact the clinic to ensure availability.

Uninsured or underinsured adults can access free or low-cost immunizations at select clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program. For more information on who is eligible, read VFA Eligibility Based on Insurance Status. You can use the following resources for more information on locating clinics:

• A list of free and low-cost clinics in Los Angeles County.
• Interactive county map to locate free and low-cost vaccine clinics.
• LACDPH Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program website for patients and their families to get more information on vaccines.

You can also dial 2-1-1 for a list of free or low-cost vaccine clinics. This includes Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider locations that serve Medi-Cal eligible children and uninsured or underinsured adults. Learn more about specific vaccine information for different age groups:

• Vaccines for Infants and Children (LACDPH)
• Vaccines for Adolescents and Teens (LACDPH)
• Vaccines for Adults (LACDPH)

• RSV Infection (LACDPH)
• RSV Overview (CDC)
• Recommended Vaccines by Disease (CDC)
• Immunizations to Protect Infants (CDC)
• RSV Information (CDPH)
• Paying for Vaccines (LACDPH)
• RSV Immunization Information Statement (Immunize.org)
• RSV Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) (Immunize.org)

Each year in the United States, prior to vaccines, RSV resulted in approximately:

• 2.1 million outpatient (non-hospitalization) visits among children younger than 5 years old.
• 58,000–80,000 hospitalizations and 100-300 deaths among children younger than 5 years old.
• 60,000–160,000 hospitalizations and 6000-10,000 deaths among adults 65 years and older.

RSV infection can cause a variety of respiratory illnesses and symptoms in infants and young children. It most commonly causes a cold-like illness but can also cause lower respiratory infections, like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

In adults, symptoms are usually consistent with an upper respiratory tract infection, which can include rhinorrhea, pharyngitis, cough, headache, fatigue, and fever. Milder illness in adults typically resolves in 1–2 weeks. However, RSV can also cause severe pulmonary disease and hospitalization in older adults and those with underlying conditions.