What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. The RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:
- cough
- sore throat
- sneezing
- runny or blocked nose
It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia in older adults and bronchiolitis in small babies.
RSV is a leading cause in respiratory illness worldwide and in the UK accounts for around 40,000 hospitalisations and between 20 and 30 infant deaths every year.
Locally vaccination can prevent nearly 100 hospitalisations annually and relieve pressure on the hospital during the winter when RSV often spikes.
RSV is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.
About the vaccine
Almost all older adults will have had several RSV infections during their life. A single dose of the vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.
The vaccine boosts the immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus.
In pregnant women, these antibodies are then passed through the placenta to help protect the baby from the day they are born. RSV vaccination reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6 months of life.
Older children and adults can also get RSV infection, but the disease is more serious for small babies and people aged 75 and over.
The vaccine is given as a single injection in your upper arm. As with all vaccines, you may get some soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection for a day or two after the vaccination. Side effects are usually mild and may include:
- headache
- muscle ache
- soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection
Who can get the vaccine
You are eligible for the vaccine if you are:
- turning 75
- aged 75 to 79 on 2 September 2024
- pregnant
Adults aged 75 and above only need one dose of the vaccine for maximum protection.
Pregnant women will need to have the vaccine with each pregnancy to ensure each baby is protected.
The vaccine has been shown to reduce the chance of suffering from the RSV. As with all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, and some people may still get RSV despite having a vaccination. If you do get RSV, it should be less severe.
You will need to contact your doctor's surgery and book an appointment. The vaccine is offered free of charge, however, your doctor's surgery may harge an administration fee.
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