Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – What You Need to Know

There are currently three FDA-approved Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines available for individuals at risk of severe illness from a respiratory virus. Please review the chart for helpful billing tips and the additional information below as to which RSV vaccine is appropriate to give to an eligible individual.

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Trade nameManufacturerNDCNCPDP Billing UnitSuggested Days’ SupplyTime to administer
 Abrysvo®*Pfizer00069-0344-011 EACH1 day supplyUse within 4 hours after reconstitution
   Arexvy®GSK58160-0848-11
mRESVIA®**Moderna80777-0345-900.5 MLUse within 24 hours after thawed at room temperature

*Also available in 5 and 10 kit packages       **Also available in a pack of 10 pre-filled syringes

  1. Abrysvo®
    1. 60 years of age and older
    1. Pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks gestational age
    1. 18 – 59 years of age who are at an increased risk
  2. Arexvy®
    1. 60 years of age and older
    1. 50 through 59 years of age who are at an increased risk
  3. mResvia®
    1. 60 years of age and older

The CDC recommends a single dose of any FDA licensed RSV vaccine be given to all adults ages 75 and older and adults who are between the ages of 60 and 74 who have an increased risk of severe RSV. The conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV can be found on the CDC website. The CDC also recommends pregnant women receive a dose of the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo®) during weeks 32 through 36 of their pregnancy sometime between September through January.  To prevent severe RSV in infants, it is recommended that the mother receive the maternal RSV vaccination or the infant receive the vaccination with RSV monoclonal antibody.

PAAS Tips:

  • Be cautious when billing mRESVIA® as each pre-filled syringe is billed as 0.5 mL versus the Abrysvo® and Arexvy® vials which are billed as 1 EACH
  • Medicare covers RSV vaccine under Part D
  • Pharmacists play a key role in educating high-risk patients on RSV prevention
  • Eligible patients can receive the RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to vaccinate is late summer or early fall before RSV starts to spread
  • Like all vaccines, pharmacies should maintain documentation in case of an audit:
    • Authorization to administer, which may include a patient-specific prescription or a collaborative practice agreement (CPA)/protocol
    • Signed prescription or placeholder prescription (when using a protocol or CPA)
    • Vaccine Administration Record (VAR)
    • Screening checklist
    • Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)

Jennifer Ottman, CPhT
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