Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses that cause cough and colds in winter. RSV is spread by large droplets and secretions from an infected person. Infants under one year of age and the elderly are at the greatest risk of developing severe disease. While most RSV infections usually cause mild illness, infants aged less than 6 months and the elderly frequently develop the most severe disease such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may result in hospitalisation.
All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and should be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. A one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.
The practice will invite eligable individuals, but patients may also be invited via NHS England.