RSV Vaccine in Greece: Who Needs It and How to Get It
Medically reviewed by: Dr Nikolas Kousouris, General / Family Physician
If you are 60 or over, pregnant or caring for someone at risk, you can discuss the RSV vaccine in Greece with a doctor through DocNow and, where it suits you, have it prescribed without leaving home.
What RSV is
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common winter virus. In most healthy adults it causes a cold that passes in 1 to 2 weeks.
In babies and older adults it can reach the lungs. It is the most common reason babies are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis, and in people over 60 it can cause pneumonia, especially with heart or lung disease.
In Greece, RSV circulates mainly from November to March.
Who the RSV vaccine in Greece is recommended for
The Greek National Vaccination Programme for adults recommends one dose of RSV vaccine for:
- everyone aged 75 and over
- adults aged 60 to 74 with at least one long-term condition
- pregnant women between weeks 32 and 36, when the birth is expected between November and March
The long-term conditions that count include heart failure and other serious heart disease, asthma, COPD, diabetes with complications, chronic kidney or liver disease, a weakened immune system and severe obesity. Other chronic diseases and living in a care home also count.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, the doctor can go through your medical history and medication with you.
RSV vaccine in pregnancy and protection for newborns
A vaccine given between weeks 32 and 36 passes antibodies to the baby through the placenta. In the main trial it reduced severe RSV infection in babies by about 82% during their first 3 months.
If the mother was not vaccinated, babies born between November and March can receive a single protective antibody injection instead, usually before leaving the maternity unit. This is free under the national programme and is arranged by the maternity unit or the paediatrician.
If you are pregnant, the doctor will also want to know the name of your obstetrician and your expected due date.
When to have it
The best time is before the season starts, in October or November. One dose is given. The current vaccines give protection for about three years, so it is not a yearly vaccine.
The RSV vaccine can be given on the same day as the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The earlier advice to space them apart was withdrawn in 2025.
In the main trials, the adult vaccines reduced RSV lung infections by roughly two-thirds to more than 80% in the first season.
How to get the RSV vaccine through DocNow
You can arrange the consultation through the DocNow app in three steps.
- Download the DocNow app on your phone or tablet.
- Choose an available doctor and appointment.
- Join the video consultation and tell the doctor you are asking about the RSV vaccine.
The doctor will ask about your age, your health conditions, your current medication and any previous reaction to a vaccine. If the vaccine is appropriate for you, the doctor can prescribe it.
With an AMKA, the prescription is issued electronically and you collect the vaccine from any pharmacy. Without one, see our guide to seeing a doctor in Greece without AMKA.
The injection itself is given in the upper arm, by a doctor or nurse, or at a pharmacy that offers vaccination.
What it costs
A DocNow video consultation costs a flat €20, paid by card in the app at booking.
The €20 pays for the medical assessment. It does not guarantee a prescription. That decision belongs to the doctor.
For people in the recommended groups with an AMKA, the vaccine itself is covered by EOPYY. Outside those groups, you pay the pharmacy.
Side effects
The most common side effects are a sore arm, tiredness, headache and aching muscles. They usually settle within 1 to 2 days.
A very rare nerve condition, Guillain-Barré syndrome, has been reported after RSV vaccination in older adults. Tell the doctor if you have ever had it.
Frequently asked questions
Who should have the RSV vaccine in Greece? Adults aged 75 and over, adults aged 60 to 74 with a long-term condition, and pregnant women between weeks 32 and 36.
Can I get the RSV vaccine prescribed online? Yes, where the doctor considers it appropriate after a video consultation.
Is it one dose? Yes. Protection lasts about three years.
Can I have it with the flu vaccine? Yes. They can be given on the same day.
Is the RSV vaccine free? For eligible people with an AMKA, EOPYY covers the vaccine. The €20 consultation is paid separately.
When is the best time? October or November, before the winter season.
If you are in one of the recommended groups, you can speak with a doctor about the RSV vaccine from home. Download the DocNow app, book an appointment and say you are asking about the RSV vaccine. The doctor will assess you and explain the appropriate next step, at their clinical discretion.
Appointment availability depends on doctor availability at the time of booking.
The information above is provided exclusively for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Please consult your treating doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.
