RSV vaccines are currently recommended as a one-time dose for most adults aged 60 and older, or for pregnant individuals to protect newborns. Unlike the annual flu shot, there's no established schedule for repeat doses yet, as protection lasts at least two RSV seasons based on clinical data.

Who Needs It?

Health authorities like the CDC and ACIP target high-risk groups:

  • Older adults (60+) : Single dose of vaccines like Arexvy, Abrysvo, or mRESVIA for those with chronic conditions.
  • Pregnant people : One dose of Abrysvo during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy to shield infants via antibodies—no repeat in future pregnancies.
  • Infants : Not a traditional vaccine but monoclonal antibodies like nirsevimab (one dose per RSV season for high-risk babies).

Programs in places like Ireland expanded this for 2025-2026, immunizing nearly 22,500 infants with 83% uptake and cutting cases by 65%.

Why Not Annual?

"Data are not yet available to make recommendations for revaccination."

Studies show single-dose efficacy holds strong: 86% against hospitalization in infants and meaningful protection for 2+ seasons in adults. ACIP is monitoring long-term data for future boosters, with assessments ongoing into 2026-2027.

Multiple Viewpoints

  • Pro-single dose : Experts note excellent initial protection; revaccination trials are pending.
  • Forum/Clinician chats : Some docs discuss patient hesitancy but stress shared decision-making—no rush for yearly shots.
  • Trending updates : 2025-2026 expansions focus on infants, with HIQA reviewing adult programs.

Group| Frequency| Examples
---|---|---
Adults 60+| One-time| Arexvy® 1
Pregnancy| One per relevant pregnancy| Abrysvo® 8
Infants| Seasonal (high-risk)| Nirsevimab 3

Bottom TL;DR : Get it once for now—talk to your doctor for personalized advice, as guidelines evolve with 2026 data. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.