Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus. RSV symptoms are similar to the common cold – congestion, runny nose, fever, and sore throat.
RSV infection is usually mild, but it can be severe for infants, older adults, and individuals with immunocompromising conditions, including cancer. In infants, it can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis, and in older adults it can cause complications and hospitalization, particularly if other health conditions that affect the heart and lungs are present.
RSV is quick to spread, particularly during winter months. Dana-Farber recommends that people receive an RSV vaccine if they are eligible.
Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine?
RSV vaccines are available for:
- All adults over 75.
- Adults over age 60 who are at an elevated risk for severe RSV, including those with moderate or severe immunocompromising conditions (e.g., active treatment with cancer chemotherapeutic agents, receipt of CAR-T or hematopoietic cell transplant, hematologic malignancies, receipt of solid organ transplant). Learn more about health conditions that elevate the risk of severe RSV.
- Pregnant people during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy to protect the baby.
- Infants who did not receive a vaccine in utero, and some children ages 8 to 19 months who are at an elevated risk for severe RSV.
Learn more about the CDC’s RSV vaccination recommendations.
Note that anyone who is allergic to ingredients in the vaccine should not get the vaccine. For more information, learn about the safety precautions for the three approved RSV vaccines.
Which RSV vaccine should I get?
The RSV vaccine is relatively new, with the first vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023 and the most recent in 2024. Approved RSV vaccines include:
- Arexvy (GSK)
- Abrysvo (Pfizer)
- mResvia (Moderna)
These vaccines have been rigorously tested and shown to be safe and to provide protection against RSV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all three vaccines equally for adults. Abrysvo is the only RSV vaccine currently approved for pregnant women. Infants receive specific RSV protection via a monoclonal antibody injection.
Is the RSV vaccine safe for people with cancer?
The RSV vaccine is safe for people with cancer. Vaccinations are an essential part of care for people with cancer because they often have weakened immune systems and therefore are more likely to be at risk of severe infections from viruses like RSV.
Dana-Farber recommends that all patients, including cancer survivors and active patients undergoing therapy who are over age 60, get vaccinated for RSV.
Dana-Farber also recommends that certain individuals with immunocompromising conditions who are 18 to 59 years old should get the RSV vaccine, such as those undergoing HCT or treatments for hematologic malignancies. Please talk with your provider to see if you may be eligible.
It is also recommended for caregivers and members of the household who are eligible (based on age) for an RSV vaccine.
For Dana-Farber transplant and cellular therapy patients, we recommend considering vaccination once 100 days have elapsed from transplant or cellular therapy.
Are RSV vaccines available anytime of the year?
For older adults, the RSV vaccine is available at any time, though the best time of year to get the vaccine is August through October, before seasonal viruses begin to spread more frequently.
For infants and pregnant people, the vaccines are available between September/October and March in the U.S.
Do I need an RSV vaccine booster?
The RSV vaccine is newly approved, with two (GSK’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo) approved in May 2023 and one (Moderna’s mResvia) approved in June 2024. It is not yet clear how long immunity lasts, though according to the CDC, protection does last longer than a year.
The RSV vaccine is currently not an annual vaccine. If you have had an RSV vaccine in the past year, you do not need another one.