What is 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 unfortunately 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 is it spread and how is it treated?
There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.
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.
RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people. We are now contacting patients 75+ to book an appointment at our RSV clinics. Patients who are pregnant will be contacted by their maternity service.
How do I get the vaccine?
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. You can still get the vaccine up to the day before you turn 80.
For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years on 1 September 2024 as part of a catch up programme.
If you are not yet 75 the NHS will invite you for vaccination once you turn 75.
We are contacting patients with an invitation by SMS, email, or in some cases, a letter to offer the opportunity to have the RSV vaccine.
Can I have other vaccinations at the same time?
Yes, you may be offered shingles or pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the RSV vaccine, it is safe to do so and reduces the number of appointments you will need to get protected from these diseases. The vaccine isn’t usually given at the same time as COVID-19 and Flu vaccines, but this may be possible. Please speak to your doctor/nurse if you would like additional vaccinations in the same appointment.
You find out more information from reliable sources, such as the UK Gov website here.