Brady Collins
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people but can be dangerous for infants and the elderly. While RSV vaccines are available, they are not currently annual vaccines, meaning eligible adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season. The RSV vaccine is produced by several manufacturers, including Pfizer, Moderna, and GSK. This text will discuss whether the RSV vaccine contains penicillin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| RSV vaccine | Arexvy, mResvia, Abrysvo, nirsevimab, palivizumab, clesrovimab-cfor |
| Type of medication | Monoclonal antibody |
| Administration | Single shot |
| Longevity | 5 months |
| Recommended for | Infants, children, adults |
| Age group | 0-74+ |
| Administration time | Late summer, early fall |
| Allergic reaction | Rash, hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, dizziness, weakness |
| Antibiotics | Neomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, gentamicin |
| Side effects | Fever, headache, pain or swelling at the injection site(s) |
| Neurological conditions | Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) |
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What You'll Learn
RSV vaccine ingredients
The RSV vaccine does not contain penicillin. Antibiotics are used to prevent bacterial contamination during the manufacturing process of vaccines. However, most of these antibiotics are removed during the purification process. Only minute quantities of specific antibiotics remain in vaccines, and these are not the ones that typically cause severe allergic reactions, such as penicillin.
The RSV vaccine, also known as Arexvy, contains the active ingredients 120 mcg of recombinant RSVPreF3 antigen, 25 mcg of MPL, and 25 mcg of QS-21. The inactive ingredients include 14.7 mg of trehalose, 4.4 mg of sodium chloride, 0.83 mg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.26 mg of dipotassium phosphate, 0.18 mg of polysorbate 80, 0.15 mg of disodium phosphate anhydrous, 0.5 mg of DOPC, and 0.125 mg of cholesterol.
Arexvy is supplied in two vials: one containing a lyophilized antigen component and the other a liquid diluent adjuvant suspension. The vaccine must be reconstituted prior to administration, and the manufacturer's provided diluent must be used. The preferred site of administration for the RSV vaccine is the deltoid region of the upper arm, and it should be administered intramuscularly.
Pfizer's Abrysvo, another RSV vaccine, consists of a recombinant RSV F protein antigen based on both the RSV-A and RSV-B subtypes. It is supplied as a single-dose vial of 120 μg of lyophilized preF antigen component (60 μg from RSV-A and 60 μg from RSV-B) to be reconstituted with sterile water. A single dose after reconstitution is approximately 0.5 mL.
Moderna's mResvia is also a single 0.5 mL dose containing 50 μg of nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the RSV F glycoprotein, based on the RSV-A subtype.
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RSV vaccine side effects
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering in one to two weeks. However, RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US and can also cause severe disease and hospitalizations in older adults, especially those with chronic medical conditions.
To combat this, the CDC recommends a single dose of any FDA-licensed RSV vaccine for all adults aged 75 and older and adults aged 50-74 at increased risk of severe RSV. Three RSV vaccines are currently available for adults of different ages: GSK's Arexvy, Moderna's mResvia, and Pfizer's Abrysvo.
As with any vaccine, there is a possibility of side effects from the RSV vaccine. These may include:
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nerve problems, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
- Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
These side effects are typically mild and usually do not require medical attention. However, it is important to notify your doctor if any side effects occur and seek immediate medical attention for any serious allergic reactions.
It is worth noting that the RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning eligible adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season. The best time to get vaccinated is typically in late summer or early fall before the RSV season usually starts.
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RSV vaccine efficacy
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people. However, it can be dangerous for infants and older adults, making it the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US.
To combat this, the CDC recommends a single dose of any FDA-licensed RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older and adults 50-74 who are at an increased risk of severe RSV. Currently, there are three RSV vaccines available for adults: GSK's Arexvy, Moderna's mResvia, and Pfizer's Abrysvo. The best time to vaccinate is in late summer and early fall before the RSV season, which typically starts in fall and peaks in winter. The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine, meaning eligible adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season.
For infants, two monoclonal antibody immunizations are recommended for newborns up to 8 months old whose mothers did not get the Abrysvo vaccine. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and clesrovimab (Elflonsia) protect infants for at least five months after birth, when they are most at risk. Nirsevimab is also available to a small group of children ages 8-19 months who are at high risk of severe disease. All of the RSV shots are highly effective. Abrysvo and Arexvy have been shown to be around 80% effective in studies conducted in real-world settings at preventing RSV-related hospital emergency department encounters. Moderna's mResvia showed approximately 80% efficacy after the first four months after vaccination in clinical trials.
An mRNA-based RSV vaccine, mRNA-1345, is currently under clinical investigation. The vaccine uses the same preF antigen and is based on the mRNA vaccine platform that was previously shown to be effective in addressing the worldwide burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A phase 1 clinical trial of this vaccine did not show any safety concerns and showed immunogenicity in younger and older adults. The vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies against both the RSV A and B subtypes, which persisted through 6 months.
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RSV vaccine availability
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with most people recovering within one to two weeks. However, RSV can be severe in infants and older adults, especially those with chronic medical conditions. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US, and it was also associated with a high number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths in adults before the introduction of the RSV vaccines.
The first vaccines for RSV were licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023 for older adults. Currently, there are three FDA-approved RSV vaccines for adults 60 and older: GSK's AREXVY, Pfizer's ABRYSVO, and Moderna's mRESVIA. The CDC recommends a single dose of any FDA-licensed RSV vaccine for all adults aged 75 and older and adults aged 50–74 at increased risk of severe RSV. The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning eligible adults do not need to receive a dose every RSV season. The best time to vaccinate is in late summer and early fall before the RSV season usually starts.
For infants, the CDC recommends one dose of nirsevimab for all babies younger than eight months, born during or entering their first RSV season. Nirsevimab is a single shot that provides protection for about five months, which covers the typical RSV season. A preventive medication called palivizumab (Synagis) is also available for babies under 24 months old with certain high-risk conditions. This medication is given monthly.
RSV vaccines are now available, but disparities in access have been observed. For example, a study found that during the 2023-2024 RSV season, Black and Middle Eastern/North African mothers had the lowest uptake of maternal vaccines, while Asian mothers had the highest rates of uptake.
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RSV vaccine administration
The following information concerns RSV vaccine administration in the United States, according to CDC guidelines.
Vaccine Types and Administration
There are currently three RSV vaccines available for adults of different ages: GSK's Arexvy, Moderna's mResvia, and Pfizer's Abrysvo. The CDC recommends a single dose of any FDA-licensed RSV vaccine for all adults aged 75 and older and adults aged 50–74 at increased risk of severe RSV. The best time to vaccinate patients is in late summer and early fall before the RSV season, which usually starts in the fall and peaks in winter.
Administration Procedure
The RSV vaccine should be administered intramuscularly in the deltoid region of the upper arm. It should not be administered intravenously, intradermally, or subcutaneously.
Coadministration
RSV vaccines can be coadministered with other adult vaccines, such as flu vaccination, during the same visit. However, data on the immunogenicity of coadministration is currently limited.
Storage and Handling
Proper storage and handling of the RSV vaccine are critical. The vaccine should be stored and handled according to the manufacturer's package insert instructions. For example, Arexvy is supplied in two vials that must be reconstituted before administration and stored refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F). Moderna's mResvia is supplied as a pre-filled syringe containing a frozen suspension that must be thawed before administration and stored between -40°C to -15°C (-40°F to 5°F).
Documentation and Adverse Event Reporting
It is essential to document each patient's vaccine administration information, including the date, manufacturer, lot number, site, route, and administrator's name. Medical records should be retained according to applicable state laws and regulations. Any adverse events following RSV vaccine administration should be reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
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Frequently asked questions
No, the RSV vaccine does not contain penicillin. Antibiotics are used to prevent bacterial contamination during the manufacturing process of vaccines, but only trace amounts remain in the final product. The antibiotics most likely to cause allergic reactions, such as penicillin, are not used in vaccine production.
The FDA has approved Pfizer's Abrysvo and Moderna's mResvia for adults aged 18-49 at increased risk for RSV-Lower Respiratory Tract Disease (LRTD). The CDC recommends GSK's Arexvy, Moderna's mResvia, and Pfizer's Abrysvo for adults aged 50 and above.
The RSV season typically starts in the fall and peaks in the winter. Therefore, the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer or early fall before the virus starts to spread in the community.
