What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections. While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults and infants and has a considerable impact on individuals and NHS services during the winter months. The virus is a cause of severe illness and mortality in those aged 75 years and older. It also causes around 9,000 hospital admissions in those aged over 75.
The virus is spread from respiratory secretions following close contact with an infected person via respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. To find out more about the symptoms of RSV click here.
RSV vaccination will offer the best protection to eligible older adults against the virus this coming winter as they reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.
RSV Vaccination Programme Extension Announced
Vaccination are now offered to those in following categories:
- All residents in care home for older adults
- Anyone aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
- Adults aged 75 and over
- Pregnant women (to protect their newborn babies)
RSV can cause serious illness in older people and can be life threatening. Evidence has shown the RSV vaccine to provide strong protection for older people and is effective in preventing hospital admission with RSV infection.
The RSV vaccine is a one-off vaccination and is available all year round.
The GP surgery will invite all eligible older adults for their vaccination.
Useful resources
- For more information on the RSV vaccination for older adults, click here and updates here
- You can promote the RSV vaccine to eligible older adults at risk of the virus by accessing a poster here.
- Click here to download the guide to the RSV vaccine for pregnant women.
- RSV vaccine could reduce antibiotic prescribing, click here for more information