New RSV Vaccine

Posted on August 14th, 2024

Introduction of new NHS vaccination programmes against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme

From 1 September 2024, patients who turn 75y and those age 75y to 79y with will be eligible for a free vaccine to protect them from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The RSV vaccine is available all year round.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:

• cough
• sore throat
• sneezing
• a runny or blocked nose

It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves.

Thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV each year, and sadly some will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.

RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.

Eligibility for the RSV vaccination

Everyone turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September 2024 will be offered a single dose of RSV vaccine. This is because older adults are more at risk of serious complications from RSV.

For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75y to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 as part of a catch-up programme.

Invitations

As a Practice we will send you an SMS text message with an online appointment booking link if you’re eligible. Please action the SMS text message once received. For those who don’t have mobiles, or text messages appear undelivered, we will contact you to offer you an appointment.

For more information about the vaccine, side effects and the programme please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccination-for-older-adults/your-guide-to-the-rsv-vaccine-for-older-adults

Pregnant women are also being offered the vaccine to protect their babies from RSV.

All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant (the eligible cohort) on 1 September 2024, should be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine at their 28-week antenatal contact (ANC), following prior discussion at the 20-week ANC. You will remain eligible up to birth.

What the RSV vaccine is for

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is offered during pregnancy. It helps protect your baby against serious illness caused by RSV infection.

Those who are at highest risk of severe illness from RSV infection include:

• premature babies
• newborn babies (particularly in the first 6 months)
• children under 2 years with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system.

The disease is more serious for young babies than older children and is  more common in winter but can happen at any time of year.

Who can get the RSV vaccine?

During pregnancy, you will be offered can get the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks. Having the RSV vaccine at this time means that your baby is protected even if they’re born early.

You should not get the RSV vaccine if you’re less than 28 weeks pregnant.

A guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-maternal-vaccination/a-guide-to-rsv-vaccination-for-pregnant-women

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/