The NHS is urging older people in the East of England who have not yet had the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to get jabbed, as health service chiefs warn it is “not just a winter illness”.
Invites are being sent this week to people not yet vaccinated against RSV who are aged 75-79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024, encouraging them to book an appointment with their GP. Pregnant women are also eligible for the vaccine from 28 weeks onwards.
RSV spreads all year round and affects the airways and lungs, and for older adults can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions. RSV is also a leading cause of infant mortality, with nearly 150,000 women being vaccinated since September.
On 1 September last year the NHS started vaccinating people against RSV for the first time in its history. The vaccine reduces the risk of severe symptoms and only one dose is needed for long-term protection. Since then, staff across the East of England have been working hard to reach those eligible, with nearly 200,000 already vaccinated in the region.
As well as being available at GP practices, in a nationwide first, since 1st October residents in Suffolk and North East Essex and Mid and South Essex have been able to get the RSV vaccination from participating pharmacies, with 8,732 people receiving the RSV jab at a pharmacy up to the end of December.
We are contacting people now to get vaccinated as RSV is not just a winter virus. Infections make people seriously ill, so we are still offering the RSV vaccine to fight against this serious respiratory illness, which causes bronchiolitis, pneumonia and other serious lung infections.
We’re pleased that nearly 200,000 people have already taken the offer up in the region, with more than 8,500 using our trailblazing community pharmacies in Suffolk and Essex. While this is good news, it’s still important that if you are eligible that you take up your NHS offer as soon as possible.
– Dr Eleanor Powers, Head of Public Health Commissioning (Immunisation) for NHS England – East of England
RSV can be severe in older people, causing serious lung infections like pneumonia and flare-ups of existing conditions. If you’re eligible, there is good evidence it will help give you protection – speak with your GP practice about getting the jab
– Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, UK Health Security Agency
A study in the Lancet showed that in the East of England, the first season of vaccination could prevent more than 300 hospital admissions, almost 2,000 GP visits and over 7,000 RSV illnesses in older adults.
You only need one dose of the RSV vaccine for good, long-term protection. If you have already booked or had your RSV vaccination, you do not need to do anything else. Having your RSV vaccination will reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms. Read more at www.nhs.uk/rsv-vaccine. For a guide to RSV vaccination for older adults, visit www.gov.uk/rsv-vaccine. For information in easy read and other languages and formats, go to www.england.nhs.uk/rsv-invites.
Providing the RSV vaccine through a number of pharmacies in the East of England has marked an important step forward to making it more convenient for those aged 75-79 to book and attend their vaccination appointments. To get your RSV vaccination at a pharmacy in your area now:
- Book a pharmacy appointment in parts of Suffolk and Essex at www.nhs.uk/book-rsv
- Find a pharmacy walk-in service in parts of Suffolk and Essex at www.england.nhs.uk/rsv-east
- Or you can attend your GP surgery when they offer you an appointment.