8 RSV Vaccine Side Effects: What to Expect After Receiving Abrysvo, Arexvy, or mRESVIA
Fatigue, muscle pain, and nausea are common side effects of the RSV vaccine. Here’s what to expect after getting Abrysvo, Arexvy, or mRESVIA.
Abrysvo
Used for RSV
Used for RSV
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) is a vaccine that helps lower your risk of getting serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It's FDA approved for adults 60 years and older, and adults 18 to 59 years who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from RSV. It's also approved for pregnant mothers between 32 and 36 weeks gestation to help protect their babies from RSV after birth. Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) is given as a single injection into the muscle. Common side effects include tiredness, headache, and injection site reactions like pain, swelling, or redness.
What is Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)?
What is Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) used for?
Prevention of serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in:
- Adults 60 years and older
- Adults 18 to 59 years old who have a higher risk of illness due to RSV
- Pregnant mothers between 32 to 36 weeks gestation
How Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) works
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) is a recombinant protein vaccine. It contains proteins from the RSV virus that trigger your immune system to make antibodies to fight the virus.
If you’re exposed to RSV later, these antibodies can stop the virus from infecting your lungs. And if you get the vaccine during pregnancy, your body can pass some of these antibodies to your baby before they are born. This helps protect your newborn from RSV after birth.
When does Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Abrysvo |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Vaccine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) essentials
Side effects of Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
18 to 59 years old:
- Tiredness (37%)
- Pain at injection site (35%)
- Headache (28%)
- Muscle pain (24%)
- Diarrhea (15%)
- Joint pain (12%)
- Nausea (12%)
60 years and older:
- Tiredness (16%)
- Headache (13%)
- Pain at injection site (11%)
- Muscle pain (10%)
Pregnant mothers:
- Tiredness (46%)
- Pain at injection site (41%)
- Headache (31%)
- Muscle pain (27%)
- Nausea (20%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Redness at the injection site
- Swelling at the injection site
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, racing heart, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or tongue
When do Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Pain at injection site
Tiredness
Headache
Muscle pain
Nausea
More on Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) side effects
The following Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Weakness and tingling in the feet and legs that spreads to upper body
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- General discomfort and fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
Get your GoodRx coupon
$356.20
GoodRx discount
$325.99
Pros and cons of Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)
Pros
- Only need one dose
- Protects both adults and newborns from serious RSV illness
- Can be given with other vaccines
Cons
- Injection might be uncomfortable
- Not approved for people under 18 years old
- Common side effects include tiredness and headache
Pharmacist tips for Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)
- Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) is given as a one-time shot into the muscle. You don't need a second dose at this time.
- Injectable vaccines like Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) can sometimes make people feel lightheaded or faint. After getting the shot, stay seated for some time and stand up slowly to make sure you feel okay.
- After getting Abrysvo (RSV vaccine), you might experience redness, swelling, or pain where the shot was given. This is called an injection site reaction and usually goes away in a few days.
- If you notice any unusual or serious side effects after getting Abrysvo (RSV vaccine), tell your healthcare professional right away. You can also report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967 or https://vaers.hhs.gov/.
- If you have a weakened immune system or take medications that weaken your immune system, Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) might not work as well for you. Talk to your healthcare professional about what this means for your protection against RSV.
Risks and warnings for Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Guillain‑Barré syndrome
Although rare, Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) might raise your risk for a condition called Guillain‑Barré syndrome (GBS), where your immune system attacks your nerves. This is most likely to happen during the first 42 days after getting the vaccine. Call your healthcare professional right away if you experience symptoms like tingling or muscle weakness in your legs or arms.
Potential risk of preterm (early) birth
In studies, more preterm (early) births were seen in pregnant mothers who got Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) compared to those who didn't. It’s not clear if the vaccine caused this or if it was due to something else. To help lower this possible risk, your healthcare professional will give you Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Severe allergic reaction
Although rare, it's possible for Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) to cause a severe allergic reaction. Get medical help right away if you experience skin rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing, or swelling in your lips, tongue, throat, or face after receiving this vaccine.
Fainting
Injectable vaccines like Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) can cause some people to faint afterwards. Stay seated for a while after getting your vaccine, and stand up slowly to make sure you don't fall if you feel faint or dizzy.
Weaker vaccine protection
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that weaken your immune system
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) might not work as well if you have a weakened immune system. If you have certain medical conditions like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cancer) or take medications that weaken your immune system — such as high-dose corticosteroids, transplant medications, cancer treatments) — talk to your healthcare professional first before getting Abrysvo (RSV vaccine). They can help you decide if the vaccine is right for you.
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) dosage
The average cost for 1 kit of 1 dose of Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) is $325.99 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 8.48% off the average retail price of $356.20. 
Kit
Kit| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 dose | 1 kit | $325.99 | $325.99 |
Typical dosage for Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)
The typical dose is 0.5 mL injected into the muscle by a healthcare professional.
How much does Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Abrysvo (brand)
$325.99
What are alternatives to Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Abrysvo (RSV vaccine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Abrysvo (RSV vaccine)
Used for:
Prevention of serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in:
$325.99View prices
Used for:
Prevention of serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in:
$312.07View prices
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Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) images
