The Arexvy RSV vaccine, made simple.
Arexvy is a vaccine that protects against RSV, a common virus that can cause serious breathing illness, especially in older adults. It is a single shot, not a yearly one. This guide explains what RSV is, who should get the vaccine, and what to expect. A Mississippi pharmacist wrote it for you.
This guide is here to teach you. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Always do what your doctor tells you, and ask a pharmacist before you change how you take any medicine.
Print this guide for your fridgeWhat Arexvy is and who it is for
Arexvy is a vaccine that protects against RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a common virus. In healthy younger adults it often feels like a bad cold, but in older adults and in people with certain health conditions it can settle into the lungs and cause serious illness, including pneumonia and a hospital stay.
Arexvy is given as a single shot. For most people, that one dose is the whole course. It is not a yearly vaccine like the flu shot.
- All adults 60 and older. RSV illness becomes more dangerous with age. The vaccine is recommended for everyone in this group.
- Adults 18 through 59 at increased risk. If you are in this age range and have a condition that raises your risk, such as COPD or asthma, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, a weakened immune system, or severe obesity, the vaccine is recommended for you too.
The simple version: Arexvy is a one-time shot that lowers your chance of a serious RSV lung illness. If you are 60 or older, or younger with a qualifying health condition, it is worth a conversation.
How the Arexvy vaccine works
A vaccine works by showing your immune system a harmless piece of a virus, so your body can learn to recognize it. Arexvy cannot give you RSV. It contains only a single protein from the surface of the virus, not the live virus itself.
When you get the shot, your immune system studies that protein and builds a defense against it. It also contains an ingredient called an adjuvant, which simply helps your immune system respond more strongly, something that matters more as we age.
After that, if you are ever exposed to real RSV, your immune system already knows it and can respond fast, which lowers your chance of a serious lung illness.
What to expect after the shot
Common, and a normal sign your body is responding.
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given. This is the most common.
- Feeling tired.
- Muscle aches, or aching joints.
- A headache.
- These are usually mild, and most people feel back to normal within a day to three.
Call your provider if:
- Side effects last more than about 3 or 4 days.
- The redness or swelling at the injection site spreads, or the area becomes warm and hard.
- You have a fever above 103 degrees.
Get emergency help right away if:
- You have signs of a severe allergic reaction soon after the shot: tightening in the throat, hives, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness. This is rare. It is also why you are asked to stay 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination, so help is right there if needed.
What to know before you get it
There are very few reasons not to get Arexvy. The main one is a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of an RSV vaccine or to one of its ingredients. Tell the person giving the vaccine about any serious allergic reactions you have had.
Arexvy is not recommended during pregnancy. A different RSV vaccine is the one used during pregnancy to protect newborns, so if you are pregnant, talk with your OB about the right choice.
Being honest about your health helps. If you have a weakened immune system, that is actually one of the reasons the vaccine is recommended, but timing can matter, so mention it. There is one more thing to be aware of, covered in the next section.
You can get Arexvy at the same visit as your flu shot or COVID vaccine, just in a different arm. Tell your pharmacist what other vaccines you are due for and we can often handle them together.
What it costs
The cost is different for every person, because every insurance plan is different.
Here is the honest way to find your price. If you pay cash, call Fairview and we will give you a price for your situation. If you have private insurance, there may be a coupon or a savings program from the maker of the drug that helps lower your cost, and we will check if one is available for you. The best step is to let a pharmacist look at your plan. We do this for every patient.
Do not let cost make you skip doses. Call us first. There is almost always something we can do.
There is also a generic version of many medicines. The generic is the same medicine. Ask your pharmacist if a generic is a good fit for you.
After your vaccination
There is no ongoing monitoring needed after an RSV vaccine, but a few things are worth knowing.
Worth knowing:
- You will be asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes after the shot, so that help is on hand in the rare case of an allergic reaction.
- There is no follow-up dose. One shot completes your RSV vaccination for now.
- Keep a record of the date you got it, the same way you would for any vaccine.
Your pharmacist can help by:
- Confirming whether the RSV vaccine is recommended for you.
- Checking what other vaccines you are due for, so visits can be combined.
- Recording your vaccination so it is on file.
- Answering any questions about what to expect.
At Fairview, we can tell you in a minute whether the RSV vaccine is recommended for you, and give it right here. Just ask a pharmacist.
Things worth knowing
It is a one-time shot, for now.
Unlike the flu shot, the RSV vaccine is not given every year. One dose is currently the full course. If you have already had any RSV vaccine, you do not need another one right now. Health authorities are still studying how long the protection lasts, and guidance may be updated in the future.
There are three RSV vaccines.
Arexvy is one of three RSV vaccines approved for adults. The others are Abrysvo and mResvia. Health authorities do not prefer one over another for general use. Whichever one is available to you is a fine choice.
A rare safety note worth honest mention.
After RSV vaccines came into wide use, a small number of cases of a nerve condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome were reported. The risk, if there is one, is very low, and health authorities continue to watch it closely. We mention it so your decision is fully informed. For most eligible adults, the protection against serious RSV illness outweighs this small uncertainty, but it is a fair thing to discuss with your pharmacist or doctor.
Best timing.
You can get Arexvy any time of year. The most useful timing is late summer or early fall, before RSV season picks up, so your protection is ready when the virus is circulating most.
If your immune system is weakened.
A weakened immune system, from a condition or a treatment like chemotherapy, is one of the reasons the RSV vaccine is recommended. If this is you, it is still worth a word with your specialist about the best timing, since the vaccine may work best at certain points in your treatment.
How Fairview helps with the RSV vaccine
Getting the RSV vaccine at Fairview is simple. Here is what we do.
Before the shot:
- We check whether the RSV vaccine is recommended for you.
- We review your allergy history and answer your questions.
- We check what other vaccines you are due for, so we can combine visits.
At the visit:
- We give the shot and have you wait a short while afterward, just to be safe.
- We record the vaccination so it is on your file.
- We tell you what to expect over the next day or two.
On cost:
- For eligible adults, the RSV vaccine is generally covered with no out-of-pocket cost.
- We check your coverage before the shot so there are no surprises.
- If you are uninsured, we can point you to options.
Questions people ask about the Arexvy RSV vaccine
Arexvy protects against RSV, a common virus that can cause serious breathing illness, including pneumonia, especially in older adults and people with certain health conditions.
Thinking about the RSV vaccine? Ask a pharmacist you can trust.
A serious RSV illness can mean a hospital stay, and a single shot lowers that risk a great deal. If you are 60 or older, or younger with a health condition, stop by Fairview and we can tell you in a minute whether it is right for you, and give it right here. No appointment needed.