RSV VACCINATION

A new vaccination will be available from September to protect patients against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It will be offered to patients aged between 75 and 80 as well as pregnant people between 28 and 36 weeks.

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs.

RSV infections 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.

Older adults are at greater risk of serious complications if they catch RSV. Pregnant people are also advised to have the vaccination between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to ensure protection for your child. New born babies are at higher risk of developing severe complications if they contract RSV.

There is hope that the vaccination will reduce baby hospitalisations by 80%.

We will be inviting eligible patients for their vaccination soon. RSV vaccinations begin in September.

The vaccine is a one-off jab which can be given any time before or after your flu vaccination. It is not normally given at the same time as flu or COVID vaccinations. We recommend eligible patients have the RSV vaccination in September before flu season starts. It is safe to have it if you have a minor illness (such as a cold). We strongly advise patients to have the vaccination to protect yourself ahead of winter.

Thank you from Dr V Sharma and the Team.