The RSV Vaccine and Pregnancy

Frequently Asked Questions Expand All

• What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

  RSV is a common virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. Most adults get better in a week or two, but RSV can be serious for babies and young children. RSV illness is the most common reason that babies are hospitalized in the United States.

• How can I help protect my baby from RSV?

  There are two options for protecting babies from RSV.

  • During pregnancy: You can get the RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. The vaccine creates antibodiesthat pass to your fetus before birth and to your baby through human milk during breastfeeding or chestfeeding. This means the baby will have some antibodies to protect them from RSV for the first 6 months after birth.

  • After birth: Your baby can get a shot called nirsevimab. Nirsevimab contains lab-made antibodies that protect against RSV. It is not a vaccine. 

• Which option is better, the vaccine during pregnancy or nirsevimab after birth?

  Both options are safe and effective at protecting your baby from RSV. Talk with your ob-gyn or other health care professional to help you decide. Some things to think about include:

  • which option is easiest to find in your area

  • which option you prefer

  • your current health and the health of your pregnancy

• Is the RSV vaccine safe during pregnancy?

  Yes, the RSV vaccine is safe during pregnancy. Some people have mild side effects, such as pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, and nausea. Side effects are normal and not a cause for concern.

• I want to get the RSV vaccine. What should I ask for?

  The vaccine that is approved during pregnancy is the Pfizer vaccine, called Abrysvo. Talk with your pharmacist or health care professional to be sure you are receiving this vaccine.

• I got the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Should I get it again during my next pregnancy?

  No, you do not need another RSV vaccine during your next pregnancy. But your next baby should get nirsevimab after birth.

• Does it matter when I get the RSV vaccine?

  ACOG recommends that you get one dose of the RSV vaccine if you are between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy from September through January. 

• It’s after January 31. Can I still get the RSV vaccine?

  In most states, the RSV vaccine is not available between February and August. Talk with your baby’s doctor about nirsevimab after birth.

• Can I get the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

  Yes. You can get the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines recommended during pregnancy, including flu, Tdap, and COVID-19.

  [Infographic: Vaccines During Pregnancy]
• I recently had an RSV infection. Can I still get the vaccine?

  Yes, you can still get the vaccine to help protect your baby after birth. You don’t need to wait a certain amount of time after recovering from an infection to get the vaccine. 

• My doctor’s office doesn’t have the RSV vaccine in stock. Can I get the vaccine at a pharmacy?

  Many pharmacies can give the Pfizer RSV vaccine. Here are some tips:

  • The vaccine that is approved during pregnancy is the Pfizer vaccine, called Abrysvo. You can search for pharmacies that have the vaccine on the Abrysvo website: www.abrysvo.com/find-a-vaccine. Talk with your pharmacist to be sure you are receiving this vaccine.

  • Check your pharmacy’s website to see if you need an appointment or if walk-ins are an option.

  • Ask if you will need a doctor’s note confirming that you are between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

  • Most states do not require a prescription to get vaccines at a pharmacy. But it may be helpful to ask if you need a prescription for the RSV vaccine. If you do, ask your health care professional to fill out the prescription with the information that you are between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

• Is the RSV vaccine covered by insurance?

  • Most insurance companies are required to cover the vaccine. Check with your insurance plan about their vaccine coverage and schedule your vaccine at an in-network (preferred) pharmacy.

  • If you are eligible for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, the RSV vaccine will be covered if you get it from a participating VFC provider. Ask your local pharmacy if it is a VFC provider before scheduling an appointment.

  • Medicaid is required to cover the RSV vaccine in all states.

• I got the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Can my baby also get nirsevimab?

  Most of the time, if you were vaccinated during pregnancy, your baby is protected and does not need to get nirsevimab. But your baby’s doctor may recommend nirsevimab if:

  • You gave birth sooner than 14 days after getting the vaccine.

  • Your baby had heart surgery after birth.

  • Your baby has a high risk of severe illness from RSV.

  • You have a health condition, such as an autoimmune disorder, that causes fewer antibodies to be passed to your baby before birth.

  If you get the RSV vaccine, be sure to tell the baby’s doctor.

• I got the RSV vaccine during a multiple pregnancy. Do my babies need nirsevimab?

  It is thought that as long as your babies were born at least 14 days after you got the vaccine, they should be protected and should not need to get nirsevimab. 

• Glossary

  Antibodies: Proteins in the blood that the body makes in reaction to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.

  Autoimmune Disorder: A condition that causes the body to attack its own tissues.

  Chestfeeding: Feeding a child with milk from the parent’s chest.

  Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.

  Vaccine: A substance that trains the immune system to respond to and fight disease. Many vaccines are made from very small amounts of weak or dead agents that cause disease (bacteria, toxins, and viruses). Other vaccines use proteins or pieces of proteins to teach the body to fight disease (like mRNA vaccines).

  Virus: A microscopic agent that causes certain types of infections.