RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Yours Guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults

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

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. 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.

RSV vaccination from September 2024

A vaccine to help protect against RSV will be available on the NHS from 1 September 2024.

You’ll be able to get the vaccine if:

• you’re aged 75 to 79
• you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born

If you’re aged 75 to 79, your GP surgery will contact you about getting vaccinated. Please wait to be contacted.

From September, you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting your RSV vaccination if you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more.

A guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)