What you need to know
- RSV is a common respiratory virus that can make some people—particularly babies, young children, and older adults—very sick.
- Vaccines during pregnancy are a safe way to help protect infants from severe RSV.
- Pregnant people can get an RSV vaccine at many pharmacies or from a health care provider, and it’s covered by most insurance plans.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a seasonal respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to those of a common cold, and cases are on the rise. While RSV isn’t dangerous for most healthy people, those who have weaker immune systems or underlying health conditions—including older adults, young children, and babies—could get very sick and require hospitalization.
Fortunately, when pregnant people receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, they pass antibodies to their developing fetuses, helping to protect them during the first six months of their life, when they’re at the most risk.
Read on to learn what RSV is, how RSV vaccines during pregnancy can help protect babies, and where pregnant people can get vaccinated now.
Who is most at risk of severe RSV, and what are the symptoms?
While RSV isn’t dangerous for most healthy people, those who have weaker immune systems or underlying health conditions—including older adults, young children, and babies—could get very sick and require hospitalization.
RSV symptoms typically appear four to six days after getting infected and may include a runny nose or congestion, coughing, sneezing, fever, decretase appetite, and wheezing. Infants with RSV may also show symptoms like irritability, decreased activity or appetite, and difficulty breathing. Some may experience complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, or life-threatening pauses in breathing (called apnea).
Why should pregnant people get an RSV vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends one dose of Pfizer’s Abrysvo RSV vaccine for people who are between 32-36 weeks pregnant during September through January, when RSV is more likely to spread.
Pregnant people who receive an RSV vaccine pass protective antibodies to their developing fetus. That helps protect infants during the first six months of their life, when they’re at the highest risk of a severe RSV infection. RSV vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to be safe, and side effects are typically mild.
It’s safe to get an RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy.
Where can pregnant people get an RSV vaccine, and how much does it cost?
Pregnant people can get an RSV vaccine at many pharmacies or from a health care provider, and it’s covered by most insurance plans. Those who are un- or underinsured or whose insurance plans do not cover RSV vaccination can pay for it out of pocket, at a cost of about $295.
Those who received an RSV vaccine during a previous pregnancy do not need another one, but their babies should receive the RSV antibody nirsevimab, which is typically covered by insurance and costs $495 out of pocket. However, children who are eligible for the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program can receive nirsevimab at no cost.
Find pharmacies near you at Vaccines.gov.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.