Alberta Health Services
Health Information
You can ask for an interpreter if you don’t speak or read English well or use sign language. They can help you:
For interpreter services, call Health Link at 811 and press 1. Tell them the language you need.
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
You can get this vaccine if you are age 70 years or older. RSV can make people in this age group very sick, especially if you have certain health conditions, such as:
If you are age 60 years or older, you can get this vaccine if:
If you had a dose of RSV vaccine in the past, you do not need another dose.
If you are pregnant, ask your healthcare provider if RSV vaccine is recommended for you. In this case, the vaccine is not free of charge. You can check if your health insurance plan covers the cost.
You may not be able to get this vaccine if:
If either of these apply, check with your healthcare provider before you get the vaccine.
Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness such as a cold or fever, it is best to stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.
You need 1 dose of RSV vaccine.
You can get the vaccine anytime of the year, but it is best to get it before RSV season, which usually starts in late fall and lasts until spring.
At this time, more than 1 dose is not recommended. Research is ongoing to find out if you will need another dose.
If you are age 60 years or older and live in a continuing care or supportive living facility, you will be offered the RSV vaccine free of charge at your facility.
If you are age 70 years or older (or an Indigenous person age 60 years or older) and do not live in a continuing care or supportive living facility, you can book an appointment for RSV vaccine free of charge:
Many pharmacies will also offer walk-in RSV immunization.
Call Health Link at 811 if:
If you are not eligible to get the RSV vaccine free of charge, you may be able to pay for it at a pharmacy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is right for you. You can check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover the cost.
You can get other vaccines at the same time as, any time before, or any time after the RSV vaccine, including routine vaccines, influenza vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine.
The RSV vaccine helps to:
There is more to learn about how long protection from the vaccine lasts.
Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.
There can be side effects from the RSV vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days.
Side effects may include:
At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.
It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.
It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.
There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.
