Introduction of new NHS vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (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. 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.
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. 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. Please do not contact the surgery to book an appointment, we will contact you when we are able to invite you in.
For more information, you can read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine called Abrysvo here: www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15309/pil
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant on 1 September 2024 will also be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine, to protect their babies against RSV. Please speak with your midwife for more details.
20.08.2024
