Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination for adults

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus in fall and winter. In some people who are more at risk of complications, such as older adults, it can cause pneumonia and lead to hospitalization.

The vaccine reduces the risk of:

• serious illnesses;
• hospital admissions;
• deaths caused by RSV.

In adults, protection is provided by an inactivated vaccine that helps the body make its own defence against RSV.

The RSV vaccine is offered free of charge during the RSV immunization campaign (generally in fall and winter) to the following people:

• people aged 60 and over who live in residential and long term care centres (e.g., CHSLDs, Elders’ Houses) or in intermediate resources in support of seniors’ autonomy (RI-SAPA);
• people aged 75 and over who live in private seniors’ homes (RPAs) for semi autonomous people or for people with reduced autonomy (category 3 or 4);
• people aged 18 and over who have had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy in the past two years or a lung transplant.

Program offered temporarily by the federal government:

• people aged 75 or over who live in a private seniors’ home for autonomous people (category 1 or 2);
• people aged 75 years or over who live in the community.

The following people can pay to get the RSV vaccine:

• people who are pregnant, between the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy, in order to protect the unborn baby;
• people aged 60 or over;
• people aged 18 or over who are at risk of complications from RSV.

If in doubt, a health professional can help you determine if this concerns you.

Certain conditions increase the risk of complications from RSV, including:

• cystic fibrosis;
• trisomy 21 (Down syndrome);
• lung diseases: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung disease or moderate or severe pulmonary arterial hypertension;
• respiratory problems caused by a muscular disorder or malformation: significant impaired clearance of secretions from the airways due to a neuromuscular disorder or a congenital anomaly of the upper airways;
• a disease or malformation of the heart: congenital heart disease or hemodynamically significant cardiomyopathy;
• bone marrow, stem cell or solid organ transplant.

The RSV vaccine is safe.

Most people do not have any reaction after getting it.

Other problems may arise by chance and are unrelated to the vaccine, such as a cold or gastroenteritis.

Extremely rare reactions may occur after vaccination against RSV.

Guillain Barré syndrome, also known as GBS, is one example. It attacks the nerves and can cause progressive paralysis. Most people recover, but some may have lasting effects. The risk of this reaction is lower after vaccination than after getting RSV.

Severe allergic reactions are also extremely rare.

Wait 15 minutes before leaving the premises. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear within a few minutes of getting vaccinated.

If symptoms appear, inform the health professional immediately, who will be able to treat the reaction on site.

If there is redness, pain or swelling at the injection site, apply a cold wet compress to the injection site.

Use medication for fever or discomfort as needed.

Consult a health professional in any of the following situations:

• if there are serious or unusual symptoms;
• if symptoms get worse instead of better;
• if the symptoms last more than 48 hours.