Vaccine Info
RSV Vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - Friday afternoon clinics
Overview
RSV is a common respiratory virus that generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms.
Most cases recover after two to three weeks of illness, but RSV can cause severe illness leading to complications and hospitalisation in some people, including:
- newborns
- infants
- older adults
Infants under one year of age and the elderly are at the greatest risk of hospitalisation with more severe RSV.
What RSV can lead to
The clinical significance of RSV in infants is that it can cause bronchiolitis which leads to:
- inflammation of the small airways
- significant breathing difficulties
In older adults, RSV is a cause of acute respiratory illness, such as pneumonia, particularly those living with:
- frailty
- co-morbidities
How does the vaccine work?
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.
Individuals aged 75 and over
The RSV vaccine is currently recommended for everyone turning 75 years old on or after the 1 August 2024, up to and including 31 July 2025.
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 August 2024.
This means individuals will be offered the vaccine if their date of birth is between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950 inclusive.
Pregnant individuals
Pregnant individuals are eligible from 28 weeks of their pregnancy until birth of the baby.
This is to offer the infant protection immediately after birth.
What about people who are under 75 years?
Younger people will be offered the vaccine when they reach 75 years of age.
Will I get any side effects?
You may get some soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection for a day or two after the vaccination.
