respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) at a glance
Medicine class
Recombinant, adjuvanted viral vaccine; it does not contain live RSV.
Licensed role
Prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease in adults aged 60 or older and adults aged 50 to 59 at increased risk.
Administration
Given by intramuscular injection, preferably into the upper-arm deltoid muscle.
Preparation
The antigen powder is mixed with the supplied adjuvant suspension before administration.
What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) used for?
Licensed uses are active immunisation to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in:
Adults aged 60 years or older.
Adults aged 50 to 59 years who are at increased risk of RSV disease.
How does respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) work?
The vaccine presents the immune system with RSV prefusion F protein. Its AS01E adjuvant promotes antigen-presenting-cell activity, RSV-specific CD4 T-cell responses and neutralising antibodies, preparing the immune system for later RSV exposure.
How to take respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted)
A healthcare professional prepares and administers this vaccine. The supplied antigen powder is reconstituted with the adjuvant suspension, inspected and injected into muscle, preferably in the upper arm.
It must not be injected into a vein or into the skin.
If another injectable vaccine is given at the same appointment, separate injection sites should be used.
Tell the vaccinator if you have a bleeding disorder, take anticoagulants, are immunocompromised or have previously fainted during injections.
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain or redness at the injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle or joint pain
- Injection-site swelling
- Fever or chills
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, swelling or collapse
- Progressive tingling, numbness or muscle weakness suggesting Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Severe or worsening damage at the injection site
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) in pregnancy
Arexvy is not recommended during pregnancy and is not the product licensed for maternal vaccination to protect infants. Confirm the intended RSV vaccine with the maternity or vaccination team if pregnancy is possible or confirmed.
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) while breastfeeding
There are no data on whether vaccine components pass into human milk, and Arexvy is not recommended while breastfeeding. Product selection and timing should be discussed with the prescriber or vaccination team.
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted) interactions
Clinically relevant considerations mainly concern immune response and administration alongside other vaccines.
Systemic immunosuppressive medicines
The immune response to the vaccine may be reduced.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
Concomitant administration is permitted, using different injection sites.
Inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines
Concomitant administration is permitted by the product information, although UK programme arrangements may schedule influenza vaccination separately for older adults.
Common questions about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine (recombinant, adjuvanted)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It actively immunises specified adults to help prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.
Is it a live vaccine?
No. It contains recombinant RSV prefusion F protein and an adjuvant rather than live RSV.
Does it treat an RSV infection?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.