You’re probably used to the annual flu shot ritual. Every October, the signs go up at CVS and Walgreens, and you trudge in to get your arm poked so you don't spend a week in bed shivering. Because of that, it’s natural to assume the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) shot works the same way. But it doesn't. Not even close. If you’re asking how often do you need to get the rsv vaccine, the answer right now is likely just once—at least for a few years.
RSV isn't new. We’ve known about this virus since the 1950s, but for decades, it was mostly seen as a "baby problem." Then the medical community realized that for older adults, it’s actually a massive killer, rivaling the flu in bad years. In 2023, the FDA finally greenlit the first vaccines for adults 60 and older: GSK’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo. Later, Moderna’s mRESVIA joined the party.
But here’s the kicker. Unlike the flu, which mutates faster than a teenager’s mood, RSV is relatively stable.
One and Done? (For Now)
The current CDC guidance is surprisingly simple. If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need another one this year.
That might feel weird. We’ve been conditioned by COVID boosters and annual flu drives to expect a "seasonal update." However, the clinical trial data for these vaccines showed that the protection holds up remarkably well through a second full RSV season. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and other experts at the CDC have been looking at the durability of these shots, and the consensus is that the immune response doesn't just fall off a cliff after six months.
In the initial trials for Arexvy, the vaccine remained highly effective against lower respiratory tract disease through two complete seasons. We’re talking about an efficacy that stays in the 80% range for the first year and only dips slightly in the second. Because the protection lasts, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) hasn't recommended an annual booster.
Honestly, it’s a relief for your wallet and your deltoid muscle.
How Often Do You Need to Get the RSV Vaccine if You’re Over 60?
If you haven't had the shot yet, the window is open. But the "how often" question is tied to "who" should get it. In mid-2024, the CDC narrowed their focus a bit. They now "strongly recommend" the vaccine for everyone aged 75 and older. If you’re between 60 and 74, they suggest it only if you’re at "increased risk" of severe disease.
What does "increased risk" actually mean in plain English? It means if you have chronic heart disease, lung issues like COPD, or a weakened immune system, you should probably get it. If you’re a marathon-running 62-year-old with no health issues, the CDC says you can wait or skip it for now. This isn't because the vaccine is dangerous; it’s because the benefit is highest for the people most likely to end up in the ICU.
The Durability Factor
Why does this vaccine last longer than the flu shot?
Flu vaccines have to be reformulated every single year because the surface proteins of the flu virus (the stuff your immune system recognizes) change constantly. RSV doesn't do that. The "F protein" that the vaccines target stays pretty much the same.
When you get the RSV shot, your body creates a "memory" of that protein. The data suggests that even as antibody levels naturally decline over time, your cellular memory stays sharp enough to prevent the kind of pneumonia that puts people on ventilators.
What About Pregnant People?
There is a different timeline for those who are pregnant. If you’re getting the Pfizer Abrysvo shot to protect your newborn, this is a "one-time-per-pregnancy" deal. The goal here isn't just to protect the parent; it's to pass those antibodies through the placenta to the baby.
Babies are born with zero RSV immunity. Since RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the U.S., that "maternal immunization" is a literal lifesaver. You get the shot during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, and only during "RSV season," which is typically September through January in most of the States. If you get pregnant again two years later? You’ll likely need another shot for that specific pregnancy to protect the new baby.
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The "Shared Clinical Decision-Making" Era
You might hear your doctor use the phrase "shared clinical decision-making." It’s basically medical speak for "let's talk about it."
For a while, the 60-74 age group was told to get the vaccine based on this "shared" model. Recently, the CDC moved toward more definitive age-based categories to clear up the confusion. But the core advice remains: if you’ve had the jab once, your job is done for the foreseeable future. There is currently no data to support getting a second dose for older adults, and some experts worry that getting doses too close together might not actually provide much extra benefit anyway.
Real-World Complications
Let's talk about the side effects for a second, because that influences how people feel about "how often" they want to do this.
Most people just get a sore arm. Some get a fever or feel wiped out for a day. There were very rare reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome (a neurological condition) in the clinical trials—about 1.5 cases per million doses. That is incredibly rare, but it’s why the CDC monitors these things so closely. When you weigh that tiny risk against the thousands of seniors who die from RSV every year, the math usually favors the vaccine.
Timing Your Next Move
If you’re sitting there wondering if you’re "due," check your records.
- Had the shot in 2023? You are good for 2024 and likely 2025.
- Had the shot in early 2024? You are set for this winter.
- Never had it and you’re 75? Go get it now.
- Never had it and you’re 65 with asthma? Go get it.
The virus usually peaks in December or January, but it can start as early as October. Unlike the flu shot, which takes about two weeks to kick in and then starts to wane, the RSV vaccine has a longer "shelf life" in your body. You don't have to time it perfectly to the week.
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Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
Scientists are still watching the people from the original trials. If the data comes back in a year or two showing that immunity finally drops off in year three or four, the CDC will change the rules. They are very cautious about this. They don't want to recommend a booster until they are sure it’s necessary.
We might eventually see a world where you get an RSV booster every three to five years. Or maybe it will be like the Tetanus shot—once a decade. But as of right now, we are in the "one-dose-for-long-term-protection" phase.
Actionable Steps for Your Health
Don't just take a guess at your immunization status. Medical records can be a mess, especially if you got your shot at a pharmacy instead of your primary doctor's office.
First, verify your last dose. Check your pharmacy app (CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid all keep digital records) or your state's vaccine registry. If you can't find a record of an RSV vaccine specifically, you probably haven't had it. People often confuse it with the "pneumonia shot" (Prevnar or Pneumovax), which is a different thing entirely.
Second, assess your risk factors. If you are under 75, look at your "comorbidities." Do you use an inhaler? Have you had a stent put in your heart? Are you living with diabetes? These factors move you from the "maybe" category to the "definitely" category for that single dose.
Third, coordinate with your other shots. You can actually get the RSV vaccine at the same time as your flu shot and your COVID-19 booster. It might make your arm extra sore, and you might feel a bit crummy for 24 hours, but it's safe. If you'd rather not deal with the fatigue, space them out by two weeks.
The bottom line is that the RSV vaccine is a marathon runner, not a sprinter. It’s designed to stick around. So for now, stop worrying about getting it every year and focus on making sure you’ve had that vital first dose if you’re in the high-risk groups.