Respiratory Syncytial Virus might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of seasonal vaccines, but RSV still deserves some recognition.
Except, wait, what is RSV?
If you haven’t heard of it, Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. These symptoms range from runny nose and coughing to a decrease in appetite, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Most people recover in a week or two, but this illness can be serious. Some cases of RSV can result in shortness of breath and low oxygen levels.
So read on to learn what you need to know about how RSV spreads, 2024 RSV vaccine updates, when the best time to get the RSV vaccine is, and more. Don’t forget to bookmark this blog for future reference before you keep scrolling though!
In This Article:
- RSV review: What we know
- What’s new this year with the 2024 RSV vaccine?
- Current clinical guidelines for the 2024 RSV vaccine
- Who should and who shouldn’t get the RSV vaccine
- The best time to get the 2024 RSV vaccine
- RSV vaccine side effects and efficacy
PLEASE NOTE: We research and reference this information, but also express opinions of the experienced professionals of Village Apothecary. We are pharmacists, but we may not be YOUR pharmacist. Do not make any medical decisions without first contacting your primary care provider.
RSV Disease and Vaccine Review: What We Know
Remember when we all washed each and every item we got from the grocery store in the early COVID-19 days? It turned out that we didn’t really need to be doing that, as COVID-19 spreads primarily through droplets from breathing and coughing.
When it comes to RSV, however, washing hands, doorknobs, and commonly touched items is imperative. Why? Well, RSV can be spread by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching your face before washing your hands.
But it’s actually a double-whammy. RSV, like COVID-19, can also spread through direct contact with the virus. (Think: droplets from another person’s sneeze getting in your eyes, nose, or mouth.) And the symptoms are nothing to sneeze at either.
RSV can cause inflammation of the small airways in the lung, as well as lung infection. This illness can also sometimes lead to the worsening of other medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe), or congestive heart failure (when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body).
Older adults and infants who get very sick from RSV may need to be hospitalized, and some may even die. Hence why RSV vaccines are so crucial, despite the illness being common and often mild.
Thankfully, RSV vaccines like Arexvy help prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Data from a large clinical trial determined that a single dose of the GSK (Arexvy) RSV vaccine reduced symptomatic RSV LRTD by 82.6% during the first RSV season after vaccination compared to a placebo, and by 56.1% during the second RSV season.
Learn More: 2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Rundown: Everything You Need to Know
What’s New This Year? 2024 RSV Vaccine Updates
RSV vaccines have become fairly standardized over the years, so there’s not a whole lot to share about the 2024 RSV vaccine.
However, it is important to note that, as of 2024, the RSV vaccine series still consists of a single, lifetime dose. Studies are ongoing to determine whether older adults might benefit from receiving additional RSV vaccines in the future.
As for updates pertaining to RSV vaccines from Village Apothecary, here’s what you need to know:
- We currently only stock Arexvy – we do NOT carry Abrysvo at this time.
- Village Apothecary currently does NOT immunize patients under 60 years of age.
Learn More: Vaccine Season Preview: 2024-2025
Current Clinical Guidelines for the 2024 RSV Vaccine
The official, CDC recommendations for the 2024 RSV vaccine can be found here. But, just to make it easier for you, here’s a summary of who’s eligible for this year’s vaccine.
You’re eligible if:
- You are an adult aged 60 years or older who has not yet received an RSV vaccination.
- You are a pregnant adult currently in weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy. But please note that Village Apothecary currently does NOT immunize patients under 60 years of age!
So people over the age of 60 and people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should prioritize discussing the RSV vaccine with their healthcare provider. All people, regardless of age or pregnancy status, should talk with their primary care physician before considering the RSV vaccine.
Still have questions about whether or not you’re eligible for the 2024 RSV vaccine? Chat with one of our experts today.
What RSV Vaccines Are Available in 2024?
Here’s another short and sweet list for you! The currently available brand of RSV vaccine is:
- Arexvy
Initially approved in 2023, Arexvy is recommended for active immunization for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus in individuals 60 years of age and older.
Our Recommendations
Who Should Definitely Get The 2024 RSV Vaccine?
- We recommend adults 60 years of age and older have a conversation with one of our experts to determine if RSV vaccination would be beneficial.
- The decision may be informed by a patient’s health status, their risk of severe RSV disease, the health care provider’s clinical judgment, the patient’s preferences, the safety profile of the RSV vaccine products, and other factors.
- Adults at highest risk for severe RSV disease include older adults, adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, weakened immune systems, or certain other underlying medical conditions, or those who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
- Adults with a minor acute illness, such as a cold, can receive the RSV vaccination if needed.
Who Shouldn’t Get The 2024 RSV Vaccine?
- Arexvy should not be administered to a person with a history of severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to any component of this vaccine.
- Adults with a moderate or severe acute illness, with or without fever, should wait until they’ve recovered to receive the RSV vaccine.
Learn More: Vaccine Ingredients in 2024: Less Scary Than You Might Think
When is the Best Time to Get the 2024 RSV Vaccine?
“Basically, between September and January for most of the U.S. But since RSV season hasn’t quite returned to normal since COVID, the best option is to try to get your shot as soon as it becomes available.”
-Dr. Neal Smoller
Ideally, vaccination should occur before the onset of the fall and winter RSV season – generally September through January for most of the United States. However, in some locations (the territories, Hawaii, Alaska, and parts of Florida), the timing of vaccination varies as RSV circulating in these locations differs from the timing of the RSV season in the rest of the U.S.
Additionally, typical RSV seasonality was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and has not returned to pre-pandemic patterns. We generally recommend you schedule your immunization as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
Learn More: Seasonal Vaccination: When Should You Get Your Vaccines in 2024?
Side Note: Are There Side Effects to the 2024 RSV Vaccine?
“The most commonly reported side effects after RSV vaccination include pain, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, plus fatigue, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Generally, these side effects are very mild and don’t last more than 1-2 days.”
-Dr. Neal Smoller
Serious neurologic conditions, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), have been reported after RSV vaccination in clinical trials of older adults, but it’s unclear whether or not the vaccine caused these events.
Preterm birth and high blood pressure during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, have been reported among pregnant people who received the RSV vaccine during clinical trials as well. It’s also unclear whether these events were caused by the vaccine.
If you have questions or concerns about receiving the RSV vaccine, talk with your primary healthcare provider or chat with one of our vaccination experts.
Are RSV Vaccines Effective?
Remember that large clinical trial we referenced above?
Here’s the important part, if you don’t want to scroll back up. The results determined that a single dose of Arexvy reduced symptomatic RSV LRTD by 82.6% during the first RSV season, and by 56.1% during the second RSV season.
Seems pretty straightforward to us!
But let’s break it down. The RSV vaccine is over 80% effective at preventing RSV for one year and over 50% effective at preventing it for at least another year after that. This data comes from a large randomized, blinded clinical trial that determined statistically significant efficacy in a variety of subgroups.
(These subgroups included people aged 70 and older, those with and without at least one chronic medical condition, and both those classified as fit and pre-frail.)
The study also determined that the vaccine works just as well against serious cases of RSV — like, serious enough to require medical care — as it does against milder cases. At this time, the duration of vaccine efficacy beyond two RSV seasons after vaccination is unknown, but the vaccine does provide significant protection for at least two seasons.
Don’t forget, though, that vaccines don’t work like a forcefield — in fact, they weren’t designed to! Instead, they function as a powerful aid to help prevent dangerous illnesses, but they’re just one tool in our toolbox.
Even when supported by healthy lifestyle choices and minimized exposure, vaccines aren’t perfect. But these days, thankfully, they’re very, very good.
Learn More: Vaccines Do Work, But They’re Not Perfect
RSV? Not for Me!
Long story short: If you’ve already received an RSV vaccine at some point in your life, you’re probably covered for this year. Which is great, because despite it being common and often mild, RSV can pose a serious risk to your well-being.
However, if you’re over the age of 60, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you should discuss your 2024 RSV vaccine options with your doctor.
And you can always give us a call, too. Our vaccine experts are ready and able to help answer your questions, schedule your vaccinations, or point you toward more detailed information. Because we’re distinctly not a big-box pharmacy — we’re a team of real people who, believe it or not, really care about your health.
