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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

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Last content update: 12/2/24

Masks are required for patients, visitors, and staff in patient care areas of health care delivery facilities in Santa Clara County from November 1 through March 31 of each year.

For more information, visit our Public Health Orders webpage.

Respiratory virus season is here - stay up to date on your vaccines to help prevent sick days and protect yourself and others!

Vaccines are the best defense against respiratory viruses. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the updated 2024-2025 flu and COVID-19 vaccines. RSV vaccines are also recommended for some older adults, pregnant people, and infants.

Schedule a vaccine appointment by visiting vaccines.gov or contacting your healthcare provider or local pharmacy.

Feeling sick? Read our respiratory virus guidelines.

What is RSV?

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. It can spread when someone with the virus sneezes or coughs, through close contact with someone who is sick, or through contact with a surface that has the virus on it. Most people recover in a week or two, but infants, toddlers, and adults 60 years and older are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. 

Who should get the RSV vaccine?

Infants, pregnant people, and older adults should get an RSV vaccine. This is because infants and older adults are at higher risk of severe illness from RSV. The vaccine is the best way to stay protected from severe illness and hospitalization from RSV.

RSV is most common between October through March. RSV can spread at the same time as COVID and flu, so it’s important to protect yourself and others with vaccines for all three viruses.​ If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need another dose at this time.

If you have health insurance, you can get your flu shot from your regular doctor. You can also schedule an appointment at a local pharmacy or clinic near you.

Schedule a vaccine appointment

Learn more about RSV vaccines

Frequently Asked Questions about RSV vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the following groups get an RSV vaccine:

You can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall.

For more information, visit the CDC’s RSV Vaccines for Older Adults webpage.

Pregnant people should get the Abrysvo RSV vaccine if they are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant during September through January. When a pregnant person gets an RSV vaccine, they create protective proteins (called antibodies) that pass to their baby and protect their baby from RSV. 

For more information, visit the CDC’s RSV Immunizations to Protect Infants webpage.

If an infant’s birth parent received an RSV vaccine during their pregnancy, the infant does not need to get an RSV vaccine.

If the vaccine was not received by the birth parent during pregnancy, all infants under 8 months and infants 8 to 19 months at high risk of severe disease from RSV should receive a dose of nirsevimab (Beyfortus) RSV vaccine during RSV season (October to March). 

For more information, visit the CDC’s RSV Immunizations to Protect Infants webpage.

Side effects such as pain, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, fatigue, fever, headache, and nausea may occur after you get an RSV vaccine. These side effects are usually mild.

  • RSV vaccines for adults are covered by most private health insurance plans and Medi-Cal.
  • If your child is uninsured, underinsured, Medi-Cal eligible or American Indian/Alaskan Native, they are eligible to receive RSV and other recommended immunizations through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.
  • If you need help enrolling for health insurance, call the County's Patient Access Department at (866) 967-4677 or drop-in at 770 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose CA, 95128.

Other prevention tips

​You can take the following steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from RSV and other respiratory viruses:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • If you are sick, stay home from work or school and follow respiratory virus guidelines
  • If you think an individual at high risk of severe disease from RSV (an infant or older adult) is experiencing RSV symptoms, contact a medical provider

Learn more about preventing spread of respiratory viruses

Data on RSV in Santa Clara County

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department monitors RSV activity throughout the year.

View respiratory virus data dashboard
 

Related resources
Immunization information
RSV information for healthcare providers
RSV information (California Department of Public Health)
RSV information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Santa Clara County respiratory virus data
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