NHS have introduced a new vaccination called Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
You are eligible for the vaccination if you:
- turn 75 years of age on or after 1 September 2024
- are already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024
- are over 28 weeks pregnant to protect their babies
What is RSV?
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 and 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. Every year, thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them 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.
How do you catch RSV?
RSV infections can occur all year round but cases peak every winter. RSV can spread through coughs and sneezes. You can help to prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (ideally with a tissue, or else into the bend of your elbow), and you can wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of picking up the virus. Even with these measures, it can be difficult to avoid RSV infection. The best way to protect yourself is to have the vaccine.
For more information please see this leaflet for older people: