Dear Doctor: How often should people older than 65 get the RSV vaccination?
- Advice (https://www.oregonlive.com/advice/)
- Published: Dec. 25, 2025, 6:00 a.m.
Dear Dr. Roach: My husband and I are over 65. We got the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations two years ago. I’m reading mixed reports on how often we should be getting them. -- N.W.
Answer: Along with influenza and COVID, RSV is yet another virus that causes respiratory disease in adults -- one that is especially dangerous for young children and older adults. It is recommended to be discussed for those who are over the age of 60.
People younger than 60 with moderate to severe immune system diseases, such as those that deal with an organ (especially lung) or a stem-cell transplant, should also consider vaccination. I recommend the vaccine to all adults over 75 and to those over 60 who have risk factors such as chronic heart or lung disease, complicated diabetes, or hemodialysis.
At the current time, booster doses of the RSV vaccine are not recommended. This may change; although there is evidence that immunity wanes after a year, repeat doses were not found to be helpful.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Many people wonder if booster shots are necessary. While there's evidence that immunity wanes after a year, studies haven't shown that repeat doses are beneficial. This means that, for now, booster doses are not recommended. However, this could change in the future as more research is conducted.
And this is the part most people miss...
It's important to note that the RSV vaccine is not just for older adults. People with moderate to severe immune system diseases, especially those affecting the lungs or involving stem-cell transplants, should also consider vaccination. Additionally, adults over 75 and those over 60 with risk factors like chronic heart or lung disease, complicated diabetes, or hemodialysis should strongly consider getting the vaccine.
To Your Good Health
Dr. Keith Roach
(c) 2022 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved
Dr. Roach graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in molecular biology. He earned his M.D. at the University of Chicago and completed his internship and medicine residency training...
