What to Know About the RSV Vaccine Shortage

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  has issued a health alert, warning about limited supply of a new immunization for infants. Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is designed to prevent lower respiratory tract disease in babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—and it’s hard to find right now.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Beyfortus in July, just a few months after approving two RSV vaccines for older adults.

There is some confusion about whether the limited supply of the new RSV shot for infants will also affect the availability of the adult vaccine. Here is what you need to know.

What Does the Health Alert Say?

The CDC’s alert stressed that there is a “limited supply” of 100-milligram doses of Beyfortus and urged healthcare providers to prioritize the available doses for infants who are at the highest risk of severe RSV disease, including those who are under 6 months old or have underlying health conditions (like premature birth before 29 weeks or severe cystic fibrosis) that increase their risk of severe RSV.

To make sure that the highest-risk infants can get the shot, the CDC said providers should not use two of the smaller doses available (50 milligrams) for babies who weigh 11 pounds or more.

The CDC also noted that some health insurance companies may not cover the cost of two 50-milligram doses for one baby.

What Does the RSV Vaccine Shortage Mean for Older Adults?

The Beyfortus shortage does not affect adults who are eligible for an RSV vaccine. There are two RSV vaccines recommended by the CDC for adults aged 60 and older: Arexvy by GSK and Abrysvo by Pfizer.

“There are no supply issues with adult RSV vaccines,” infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Verywell. “There is not really any linkage with the shortage of the pediatric product and any issue with adults, other than adults who take care of infants will have to work harder to find this tool to optimally protect infants they care for.”

The RSV vaccine for adults and the one for babies are different products, Thomas Russo, MD, chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Verywell, adding that the shortage of Beyfortus will not impact adults because “the adult products are completely different.”

According to the CDC, older adults with chronic medical conditions or weak immune systems may benefit from getting the RSV vaccine because it could help them avoid serious illness. The CDC recommends that older adults talk to their healthcare providers about whether they should get the vaccine.

Why Is It Hard to Find RSV Vaccines Right Now?

Even though there is no shortage of Arexvy or Abrysvo, the vaccines can still be challenging to find, William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Verywell.

“The adult vaccine is out there in pharmacies, but many physicians’ offices still have not purchased it because they’re unsure what the demand will be,” said Schaffner.

The official recommendation is for older adults who are at least 60 years old to talk to their providers about the RSV vaccine—not to go out and get one right away. A recommendation for a conversation may reduce the sense of urgency that older adults feel about getting vaccinated.

Schaffner pointed out that providers also need to purchase vaccines for their practices, and many are hesitant to do it.

“Individual physicians have still not committed themselves to making the RSV vaccines available in their own offices,” he said. “Patients are being sent to pharmacies instead.”

There is also some uncertainty around whether health insurance will cover the vaccine. Schaffner said it’s close to $300 a dose if you pay out of pocket.

“With adults between the ages of 60 and 64, there may be some glitches with regard to how quickly their insurance company has added the vaccine to their covered services,” said Adalja. “This is increasingly being worked out and becoming less of an issue. For adults over the age of 65, it is covered by Medicare Part D, for those who have elected to have that coverage.”

If you’re interested in getting the RSV vaccine, Russo recommends bringing it up with your provider.

“If you’re 75 years or older, you should very strongly consider getting the RSV vaccine,” said Russo. “If you’re in the 60 to 75 age range and you have underlying conditions, you should also very strongly consider getting that vaccine. But if you’re healthy in that age range, you should have a discussion with your healthcare provider about whether this is something that would be beneficial for you.”

Russo said that where to get the vaccine is a “separate issue.” After talking to your provider, he recommends reaching out to a local pharmacy, larger healthcare facility, or hospital to see if they’re offering the vaccine.

Schaffner recommends checking with your health insurance first to see if they’ll provide coverage, because “that call could save you a lot of money.”