Alberta Health Services
Health Information
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
You can get this vaccine if you are age 75 years or older. RSV can make people in this age group very sick, especially if:
You can also get this vaccine if you are age 60 years or older, and you live in a continuing care or supportive living facility.
If you had a dose of RSV vaccine in the past, you do not need another dose.
You may not be able to get this vaccine if:
If you have allergies or have had a side effect from this vaccine, check with your doctor or a public health nurse before you get the vaccine.
Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness such as a cold or fever, you should 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 for free at your facility.
If you are age 75 years or older and do not live in a continuing care or supportive living facility, you can book an appointment for free RSV vaccine:
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 for free, 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.
It is recommended to get the RSV vaccine 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after getting the influenza or COVID-19 vaccine.
It is recommended to get the RSV vaccine 6 weeks before or 6 weeks after getting any other vaccine.
Research has shown that spacing the RSV vaccine from other vaccines may give you better protection. There is still more to learn about this. Spacing also helps us to understand side effects better.
If you had another vaccine in the last 6 weeks, check with your healthcare provider about when you can get the RSV 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.
