Older people can schedule an arrangement through Walgreens' app, website, or local pharmacy

August 2, 2023: Walgreens is delivering the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for older adults all over the nation, the pharmacy chain said on Tuesday.

People aged 60 and older can schedule an appointment this week through Walgreens’ app, website, or local pharmacy.

Walgreens stated that RSV vaccines are now available in most states, and appointments will be counted on a rolling basis over the next two weeks as more pharmacies receive the shots.

This is the first RSV season in which older adults have the option to get vaccinated against the virus. In the previous spring, the Food and Drug Administration passed the first RSV vaccines, made by Pfizer and GSg. The vaccines are administered as a single dose.

RSV starts spreading more widely in the decline. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus kills 6,000 to 10,000 older adults and hospitalizes 60,000 to 160,000 every year.

The CDC has said eligible adults should talk to their doctor about whether they should receive the shot.

Pfizer started directly shipping its RSV vaccine to customers last month and has sufficient stock to meet demand, a company spokesperson said.

Pfizer’s shot was 85.7% useful at preventing more severe lower respiratory tract disease during the patient’s first RSV season after vaccination. The shot’s efficacy is refused slightly to 78.6% about 18 months following vaccination.

GSK’s shot was 94% effective against severe RSV disease in the patient’s season after vaccination. The shot’s efficacy declined to about 78.8% after two RSV seasons.