Should adults 75 and older get the RSV vaccine this year?
CDC now recommends one RSV vaccine dose for all adults 75 and older, with the best timing in late summer or early fall before RSV usually spreads widely. For many older adults, the practical question is how to fit RSV protection into a fall vaccine visit alongside flu and COVID-19 shots.
For adults 75 and older, the short answer is usually yes: the CDC recommends one dose of RSV vaccine, and says the best time to get it is in late summer or early fall before RSV starts spreading more widely.
That advice also matters for caregivers. RSV can lead to serious lung illness, hospitalization, and longer recovery times in older adults, especially those with other health conditions or frailty.
What changed in February 2026
On Feb. 24, 2026, the CDC updated its adult RSV guidance to recommend a single dose for all adults ages 75 and older and for adults ages 50 to 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV illness. People who already received one RSV dose should not get another one at this time.
There is no preference among the three RSV vaccines licensed for adults. The CDC says eligible adults can get any licensed RSV vaccine that is available to them.
How RSV fits with flu and COVID vaccines
RSV vaccination can be given at the same visit as other adult vaccines, including flu and COVID-19 vaccines. CDC says coadministration is acceptable, though limited data suggest it may lead to somewhat more short-term reactions such as pain at the injection site, fever, headache, or muscle aches, and the clinical significance of reduced antibody levels seen in some studies is still unknown.
For many older adults, that can make the fall vaccine season simpler: one visit, several protections.
It is not a yearly RSV shot
Unlike flu shots, the RSV vaccine is not currently annual. The CDC says a single dose is enough for now, and it is still studying how long protection lasts and whether future booster doses will be needed.
CDC says one dose provides protection for at least two years in adults ages 50 and older, based on the evidence currently available, but long-term duration is still being studied.
Common side effects and remaining questions
Most side effects are the kinds people expect after vaccination: soreness where the shot was given, fatigue, fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle or joint pain. These side effects are usually mild.
CDC also continues to monitor rare safety signals, including serious neurologic events such as Guillain-Barré syndrome reported within 42 days after vaccination in a small number of adults who received certain RSV vaccines. At this point, CDC says it is not clear whether the events were caused by the vaccines or happened by chance.
Recent research supports the idea that RSV vaccines can help older adults, while also showing that follow-up time is still limited. That means the vaccines are a useful prevention tool, but scientists are still learning more about duration of benefit and very rare safety questions.
Who among adults 50 to 74 is higher risk
The CDC recommends RSV vaccination for adults 50 to 74 who have a higher chance of severe disease. That includes people with chronic heart or lung disease, weakened immune systems, certain other underlying medical conditions, and adults living in nursing homes.
Age alone is not the only factor. The risk of severe RSV rises with age and with medical vulnerability.
When RSV symptoms need prompt care
RSV can start like a common cold, but older adults should take breathing symptoms seriously. Get prompt medical attention for shortness of breath, new or worsening wheezing, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips or face, dehydration, or a fever that is not improving.
Call emergency services right away for severe trouble breathing, severe chest pain, fainting, or other signs of a medical emergency.
What readers can do
If you are 75 or older, or you care for someone who is, ask a clinician or pharmacist whether RSV vaccination is appropriate this fall and whether it can be done at the same visit as flu and COVID shots. If someone already had an RSV vaccine dose, they should not get another one right now unless guidance changes.
CDC’s current coverage data show many eligible older adults still have not been vaccinated, so this remains a practical prevention step for this season.
Bottom line: For adults 75 and older in the U.S., CDC guidance supports getting one RSV vaccine dose, ideally in late summer or early fall. Adults 50 to 74 with higher-risk conditions may also qualify.
Sources
Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.
