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Communicating About RSV Vaccination in 2026-27

Last Updated: September 14, 2026

RSV vaccines and immunizations for the 2026-27 season are now available in all U.S. states, territories, and freely associated states. Use the key messages below to communicate about who should get the vaccine or immunization, how to access them, and why they’re essential for individual and community health. These messages will be updated as new guidance from medical associations becomes available. 

Communicating About RSV Vaccination in 2026-27 references guidance from medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) as expert sources. 

Table of Contents

  1. Key Messages About Preventing RSV 
  2. Vaccine Communication Best Practices 
  3. Sources

Key Messages About Preventing RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages like the nose, mouth, and throat. Most people infected with RSV will experience mild illness and recover within one to two weeks at home. However, infants, young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for severe RSV disease.

Symptoms of RSV may include a runny nose, a lower appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Infants who get RSV usually show symptoms, unlike adults, who can sometimes get RSV and not have any symptoms. In children under 6 months, symptoms of RSV may include irritability, breathing trouble, and decreased eating, drinking, and activity.

There are two ways to protect against RSV: vaccination and immunization: 

  • RSV immunization is recommended for infants if the pregnant parent did not get an RSV vaccine. Monoclonal antibodies from the RSV immunization provide direct and rapid protection, since babies’ immune systems are too immature to learn from a vaccine.
  • RSV vaccines are available for older adults, pregnant people, and people with compromised immune systems. Vaccines require the immune system to learn to create its own defense against the disease. 

Who Should Get the RSV Vaccine or Immunization

RSV can cause severe illness and hospitalization, especially among older adults and infants. RSV is the most common cause of hospitalization in infants under 1 year old. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommend RSV vaccination or immunization as the best way to protect against severe illness and additional trips to the doctor, emergency room, or hospital.

RSV Prevention Recommendations for Specific Groups 

Recommendations for Older Adults:

The AAFP recommends that adults ages 75 and older, and adults 50-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, receive the RSV vaccine at any time of year. There are three single-dose RSV vaccine options available for adults. No additional doses are recommended after the first dose.

Recommendations for Pregnant People:

ACOG recommends that pregnant people who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant between September and March get the RSV vaccine to protect their babies from severe RSV after birth. The RSV vaccine provides the best protection against severe RSV in babies from birth to 6 months old, when a baby’s immune system is not ready to develop immunity on its own.

ACOG recommends a single-dose RSV vaccine for pregnant people in their third trimester. The Pfizer vaccine, Abrysvo, is safe and effective for pregnant people and creates antibodies that pass onto the baby while in the womb and after birth through breast milk. After receiving the RSV shot, it takes about 14 days for the protection to pass from the parent to the baby. The antibodies passed during pregnancy protect the baby for about 6 months after birth. The pregnant parent should talk to their health care professional about RSV vaccination to determine what is best for them and their baby. 

Recommendations for Infants:

If the pregnant parent does not receive an RSV vaccination, the AAP recommends that babies ages 8 months and under and born during or near the RSV season, typically between October and March, receive an RSV immunization. Infants and children ages 8 through 19 months who are at high risk of severe RSV and entering their second RSV season should also get an RSV immunization. Protection from RSV immunization lasts at least 5 months and is 90% effective at preventing infant hospitalizations.

Recommendations for People with Compromised Immune Systems: 

IDSA recommends that people with compromised immune systems ages 18 and older receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine. People with compromised immune systems who are ages 18 and under should consult with a healthcare professional through shared clinical decision-making.

RSV Vaccine Research and Development

RSV vaccines are safe.

Vaccines in the United States are constantly monitored for safety and benefits. Ongoing research studies identified no new safety concerns for RSV vaccines. 

As with all vaccines administered to the public, RSV vaccines have successfully met the following safety and effectiveness measures: 

  • Lab development
  • Three phases of clinical trials
  • Assessment of clinical trial results by the FDA
  • Rigorous review of available research and trial results by U.S. medical associations
  • Development and approval of vaccine recommendations from U.S. medical associations

Since the vaccines were first distributed, many systems continue to monitor and track outcomes from RSV vaccines to ensure their safety and effectiveness. 

Getting the RSV Vaccine or Immunization: When, Where, and Other Considerations

  • When
    • Recommended groups can get the RSV vaccine any time, but it is best before RSV cases increase, typically in the fall and winter.
    • RSV vaccines can be administered at the same time as flu vaccines for convenience. There is no evidence that getting the flu and RSV vaccines at the same time increases the risk of severe side effects or reduces the efficacy of either. 
  • Where
    • The RSV vaccine is typically available at pharmacies, health clinics, and doctors’ offices. People can typically book a vaccine appointment in advance, or some clinics and pharmacies allow walk-ins without an appointment. 
    • RSV immunization for infants is typically available in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals. Since the RSV immunization provides immediate protection, the best time for infants to get it is in the hospital or birthing center immediately after birth.
  • Cost
    • Nearly all public and private insurance plans fully cover the RSV vaccine, making it free as part of preventative care. For adults without insurance, free or low-cost RSV vaccine options may be available. Talk to a local pharmacist or a healthcare professional, or check with a local health department about free or low-cost options. 
    • The RSV immunization for infants is covered by the Vaccines for Children Program.

Vaccine Communication Best Practices

Understand your audience.  

The more you know about your audience, the more effectively you can provide useful, relevant information. When crafting vaccine messaging, start by answering the following: 

  • Which demographics have the highest or lowest vaccination rates? What messages and/or support do these groups need? 
  • What do I know about my community’s feelings about preventing RSV? How have their perceptions changed in recent years and in relation to other public health issues? 
  • What communications channels does my audience use and where are they most likely to access vaccine information?

Encourage people to make informed choices.  

  • Support the spread of good information and build trust among your community.
    • Suggest that your community members seek guidance from their local health departments and healthcare professionals if they have questions about vaccination. 
    • When sharing information, think broadly about who among your audience would be considered “trusted messengers” or credible sources.
    • Balance positive, encouraging language with realistic, scientific language to clearly communicate the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing severe illness.   
    • Use consistent and accurate language. For example, vaccine, inoculation, and immunization have similar meanings but are not identical. 
    • Give people more information about the process of getting a vaccine, including if and when they need to make an appointment and details about insurance coverage.

Showcase the scientific rigor behind vaccines.  

  • In general, concerns about vaccines are often rooted in fear of the unknown and misleading claims about the approval process for vaccines. Discuss the details of vaccine development to debunk myths while addressing FAQs.  

Highlight vaccines’ ability to reduce disease spread and serious illness. 

  • Share plain language information about the effectiveness of vaccines.
    • Communicate about how RSV vaccines and immunizations have significantly reduced deaths and severe illness since they became available. 
    • Use social media content that educates followers about the benefits of vaccination.
    • Highlight personal stories of vaccination that have impacted your community’s health.

Sources

Related Communication Tools

Communicating About Flu Vaccination in 2026-27

Communicating the Difference Between Vaccines and Immunizations 

Communicating About Vaccine-Related Side Effects

Better communication for better health.

The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) was developed in response to the urgent need for timely, relevant, and practical tools, messaging, and training to support and enhance the communications capacity of public health professionals across the country.

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