Beware of callers impersonating MyMichigan Health asking for credit card information. If you receive a suspicious call, request a call back number if possible and report that information to our security team at (989) 839-1911.

Learn More

Published on May 11, 2023

RSV Vaccine Receives Approval for Adults Over 60

RSV Vaccine

On May 3, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first ever respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for use in the United States. The vaccine, Arexvy, is approved for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults aged 60 and older. Paul Berg, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at MyMichigan Health, explains what that means and when the vaccine could be available for those who are eligible. 

Q. What is RSV?

A. RSV is a contagious upper respiratory virus that causes infections of the lungs and breathing passages. The virus is typically seasonal, coinciding with flu season. It’s been especially prevalent in the last couple of years, and can be especially dangerous for high-risk adults, elderly individuals and infants. 

Q. When will the vaccine be available, and who will it be available for?  

A. The approval of this vaccine by the FDA is really exciting. It’s been several decades in the making, and could be available as soon as this fall, just in time for common winter illnesses to start to spike. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets in June, and if the vaccine is recommended for use, it will start to become available.

Q. Why is the vaccine only available for adults 60 and older?

A. Other vaccines are currently in development, clinical trial and/or testing phases that will help to prevent severe illness caused by RSV in infants, young children and adults under the age of 60. While RSV can be dangerous for infants and children or adults with compromised immune systems, older adults, especially those with underlying health conditions, are also at high risk for severe illness and disease caused by RSV. The CDC estimates that RSV causes between 6,000 to 10,000 deaths per year in adults over age 65, so developing a vaccine for adults over 60 makes good sense.

Q. How effective is this vaccine?

A. In a clinical trial of nearly 25,000 adults, Arexvy was 83 percent effective at preventing lower tract respiratory disease caused by RSV, and 94 percent effective at preventing severe disease in seniors. 

Q. How is the vaccine administered? Are there any known side effects?

A. The vaccine will be administered via a single injection. The most common side effects reported include pain at the injection site and fatigue, which are common side effects that may occur after most vaccines. Side effects should resolve on their own within a day or two.

Q. Where will the vaccine be available?

A. GSK, the company who manufactures Arexvy, has said that, upon recommendation for use, the vaccine would be readily available at local pharmacies and other health care settings. If you are above the age of 60, I encourage you to discuss the vaccine with your health care provider to determine if you are a good candidate to receive it before the start of this year’s RSV season.