Most RSV vaccines are aimed at older adults, people with certain health problems, and pregnant people in late pregnancy, but exact eligibility depends on your country and personal risk factors. Always confirm with your own doctor or local health authority before getting vaccinated, because recommendations keep changing.

Who can get an RSV vaccine?

In many places (like the US and UK in 2024ā€“2025), RSV vaccines are routinely offered to:

  • Adults about 75 years and older , because they have the highest risk of severe RSV disease.
  • Adults in their 50sā€“70s who have health conditions that raise their risk (for example chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver disease, severe obesity, weakened immune system, or living in a nursing home).
  • Pregnant people in late pregnancy (roughly the third trimester) to protect both themselves and their newborn babies from serious RSV illness.

Separately, babies often get RSV antibodies (like nirsevimab) rather than a traditional vaccine; this is recommended for certain infants, especially if the pregnant parent did not receive the maternal RSV vaccine.

Who usually should not get it?

Most eligible people can safely receive an RSV vaccine. It is usually avoided or delayed if:

  • You have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous RSV shot or one of its ingredients.
  • You have a high fever or are very unwell that day; in that case, vaccination is often postponed until you feel better.

Because guidance changes as new data comes out, doctors may update who they recommend it for over time.

How to know if you can get it

To find out your exact eligibility:

  1. Check your national health authority website (for example, CDC in the US or NHS in the UK) for the latest RSV vaccine guidance.
  1. Talk to:
    • Your GP / primary care doctor , especially if you are 50+ or have chronic health conditions.
    • Your obstetric provider if you are pregnant and near the third trimester.

Bringing a list of your medical conditions and medications helps your clinician judge whether your RSV risk is high enough to recommend vaccination.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.