On the 1st of September 2024, two new RSV vaccination programmes were introduced:
- Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old.
- Programme for pregnant women to protect infants.
What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections. While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults and infants and has a considerable impact on individuals and NHS services during the winter months. The virus is a cause of severe illness and mortality in those aged 75 years and older. It also causes around 9,000 hospital admissions in those aged over 75.
The virus is spread from respiratory secretions following close contact with an infected person via respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. To find out more about the symptoms of RSV click here.
RSV vaccination will offer the best protection to eligible older adults against the virus this coming winter as they reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.
Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine?
Programme for older adults aged 75-79 years.
- All adults turning 75 years old on or after the 1st of September 2024 are eligible for the routine programme and will be offered a single dose of the free RSV vaccine. Those eligible can get the vaccine up to the day before they turn 80, with the exception of people who turn 80 in the first year who have until the 31st of August 2025 to get vaccinated.
- For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years old on the 1st of September 2024 as part of a catch -up programme.
For more information on the RSV vaccination for older adults, click here,
RSV vaccine could reduce antibiotic prescribing, click here for more information
The GP surgery will invite all eligible older adults for their vaccination.
Can a person has the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
The RSV vaccine for older adults is not recommended to be given at the same time as COVID-19 or Flu vaccinations. Some data shows co-administration with COVID- 19 vaccination and RSV vaccination may reduce the immune response to the RSV vaccine. However, the RSV vaccine can be co-administered with the Pneumococcal vaccine and the Shingrix shingles vaccine.
You can promote the RSV vaccine to eligible older adults at risk of the virus by accessing a poster here.
You can also share an information leaflet with eligible older adults which can be downloaded here.
Programme for pregnant women to protect the infant
- All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant (the eligible cohort) on the 1st of September 2024, will also be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine to protect their baby from RSV. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.
- From the 1st of September 2024, staff who are 28 weeks pregnant or more can speak to their maternity service or GP surgery about getting their RSV vaccination.
Click here to download the guide to the RSV vaccine for pregnant women.