RSV vaccine (respiratory syncytial virus)

Your MinuteClinic provider can review your medical history and determine whether the RSV vaccine is right for you. They can also give you the vaccine and provide prevention advice.

1. Prior to scheduling your appointment, you may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment.

If you made your appointment online:

Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.



If you made your appointment in the clinic:

Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.

4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.

5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, a receipt and educational material. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Adults ages 60 and up can get the RSV vaccine at any time. We recommend getting the RSV vaccine with your yearly flu shot, between the months of September and January. Depending on when RSV season occurs in relation to a pregnancy, those who are expectant should get the RSV vaccine sometime during weeks 32 through 36 of their pregnancy.

RSV infections are caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. RSV usually spreads seasonally. Most RSV infections occur between October and April.

People infected with RSV can treat their symptoms with over-the-counter fever and pain relievers. They should drink plenty of fluids. Most RSV infections go away within a couple weeks. Usually, antiviral medication is not recommended.

The vaccine is given in one shot.

Currently, the RSV vaccine is recommended as a single dose. Studies are in progress to determine how long a single dose protects against RSV and whether a booster will be needed.

RSV is contagious. It can be spread by people infected by the virus when they sneeze or cough, sending virus droplets onto surfaces or into the air. On hard surfaces like doorknobs or tables, the virus can survive for several hours.

Most people infected by RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days. They may start to spread the virus a couple days before they start to feel symptoms. People with weakened immune systems, as well as some infants, may continue to spread the virus after their symptoms end. They may be contagious for up to four weeks.

No. The vaccine does not contain the virus that causes the infection.

As we age, our immune systems become weaker and it’s easier to become sick. RSV makes it harder to breathe, which can worsen other conditions. It can lead to complications and may even require hospitalization. Adults who have heart and lung conditions or weakened immune systems or who live in long-term care facilities are at a higher risk.

In the United States, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants. If you get the RSV vaccine when you’re pregnant, the antibodies created by the vaccine pass on to your fetus. They offer protection to your baby after birth. The infant is then less likely to develop a severe RSV infection.

Yes, you can get both shots at the same time.

The RSV vaccine is recommended for adults 60 and up as well as for anyone who is pregnant. It has been approved for use by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).