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.
RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes
symptoms like 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, 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.
Almost all older adults will have had several RSV infections during their life. A single
dose of vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest
risk of serious RSV infection. Unlike the flu vaccine you do not need to have
the RSV vaccine every year.
The best way to protect yourself is to have the vaccine.
We will be contacting our eligible patients via text or telephone call during September to offer appointments at the surgery for this vaccine. Please make sure your contact details are kept up to date with us.
