Livingston County offers RSV vaccine

The Livingston County Health Department is offering Pfizer’s approved respiratory syncytial virus vaccine Abrysvo to individuals ages 60 and older, as well as eligible pregnant women.

The health department accepts all types of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. Assistance is available for those who are uninsured. All immunizations, including COVID-19 vaccinations, are available Wednesdays by appointment only. Call 815-844-7174 to schedule.

Other locations administering vaccines can be found at www.vaccines.gov.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Although most individuals recover within a couple of weeks, RSV can have serious effects. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV requiring hospitalization. For those 60 or older, vaccination can help protect from severe RSV.

Women who are pregnant can receive an RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect their infant after birth, or a preventive antibody can be given to the baby after birth.

For information regarding the RSV vaccine and whether it is right for you, contact your physician.