Date last reviewed:
Friday, Mar 08, 2024
Information
RSV vaccine
If you are 60 or older, you can get the RSV vaccine to protect you from severe RSV. This vaccine is not currently publicly funded (free) in BC. You can buy it from most pharmacies.
Disease it protects against
The RSV vaccine protects against:
- Respiratory syncytial virus
Respiratory syncytial (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, in some cases, RSV can cause more severe infections such as bronchiolitis, meaning inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. Some groups, including infants and older adults, are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Learn more about respiratory syncytial virus.
Information
Vaccine approval
The RSV vaccine was approved by Health Canada in August 2023 to prevent RSV disease for adults aged 60 and over. Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has not yet published its recommendations on the use of RSV vaccines in Canada.
Who can get the vaccine
| Age | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Adults |
|
How to get the vaccine
The RSV vaccine is not currently publicly funded in BC. Adults 60 and older can buy the RSV vaccine at select BC pharmacies.
Use the Clinic Locator on the BC Pharmacy Association website to find a pharmacy with the RSV vaccine. Please book online or call to make an appointment. Some private health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine; check with your provider.
RSV quick facts
- What it is
-
Respiratory syncytial (RSV) is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, in some cases, RSV can cause more severe infections such as bronchiolitis, meaning inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.RSV causes outbreaks of respiratory illness each year. In British Columbia, RSV infections often occur between the late fall to the early spring.
- How it spreads
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RSV spreads easily from person to person through breathing, coughing, and sneezing. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from coughs, or sneezes on another person or on an object, and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands.
- Symptoms
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Symptoms can begin about 3 to 5 days after a person is first exposed to the virus.Older children and adults usually present with symptoms similar to the common cold and symptoms go away in 1 to 2 weeks. Typical RSV symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Low grade fever (less than 38.5° C or 101° F)
- Loss of appetite
- Mild sore throat
- In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased energy, and breathing difficulties.
Symptoms can worsen if the virus causes inflammation of the lungs. In the case of a more serious infection, symptoms could include:- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Unusual or prolonged pauses of breathing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty feeding
- Risks
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In some cases, RSV can cause severe infections such as bronchiolitis, meaning inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.Premature children, children younger than 6 months, children with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions, older adults, and patients who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of severe RSV and may need to be hospitalized.
