ELDERLY people and pregnant women will be offered a vaccine on the NHS to protect against a respiratory virus that can cause serious complications.
From September, everyone aged 75 and over will be eligible for one dose of Pfizer’s Jab Abrysvo to fight respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant on this date will also be invited to have a shot to help keep themselves and their babies safe.
The NHS in England is being urged to vaccinate as many people as possible in September and October before winter sets in and RSV spreads.
In future, all women will be eligible for a jab once they reach 28 weeks pregnant.
In Scotland, the programs will run from August, with Northern Ireland and Wales expected to follow.
RSV causes lung and respiratory tract infections.
It usually causes cold-like symptoms in healthy adults and older children.
However, children are at risk of severe RSV infection and may require hospitalization, especially in the winter months.
Similarly, premature babies, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system are more at risk.
The new NHS vaccination programs in England are expected to be delivered through GP practices and pharmacies.
A one-time catch-up campaign will also be launched for people aged 75 to 79 with the aim of vaccinating as many as possible by the end of August 2025.
Dr Conall Watson, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK’s Health Safety Agency, said: “We are urging anyone offering the RSV vaccine to take it up when the vaccination program starts in September.
“RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
“The vaccine will help prevent older adults and young children from developing more serious complications from the virus, while also helping to reduce pressure on NHS services during the busy winter months.”
The new programs follow guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), which advises the UK government on jabs.
An NHS spokesman added: “The NHS will do everything it can to ensure people are protected against this nasty virus before the winter, with GPs preparing to offer this new vaccine to vulnerable groups as quickly as possible, so please get in touch when you are invited.” “
Symptoms of RSV
PEOPLE typically show symptoms of the virus four to six days after being infected.
Symptoms include:
- Cold
- Decreased appetite
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
But symptoms can be much more subtle in very young children, including irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties.
Most children will have an RSV infection by their second birthday.
In infants and young children, it can cause a condition called bronchiolitis.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis in very young infants include:
- Refusal to breastfeed or bottle feed
- Faster and louder breathing (wheezing)
- Appearing very tired, agitated, or inactive
- Signs of dehydration – lack of tears when crying, little or no urine in diapers for six hours, and cool, dry skin
Source: CDC, Asthma + Lung UK
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said that RSV is so common that most children have contracted it by their second birthday.
It said the RSV epidemic peaks in December and is responsible for around 33,000 NHS hospitalizations of children under five and between 20 and 30 deaths of young children each year.
‘ONLY AT THE BEST TIME’
Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Asthma + Lung UK, said: “We are very pleased to see the timely introduction of this vaccine.
“RSV hospitalises more than 33,000 children under the age of 5 every year, putting enormous pressure on the NHS.
“Asthma + Lung UK has long called for vaccines to be made available to those most at risk.
“Time is ticking and it is important that vaccines are introduced quickly to protect vulnerable lungs from the winter.
“We are ready to work with the next government and the NHS to raise awareness of the risks of RSV and the benefits of vaccination.”
This newly announced program has the potential to transform health services for children during the winter months by reducing hospital admissions and could even save young lives.
Dr. Mike McKean
Dr Mike McKean from the RCPCH added: “We are delighted that the calls from thousands of paediatricians and health professionals for a much-needed RSV program have been heeded.
“Campaigning for the RSV vaccine has been a key issue for the college for many years and today’s announcement is a huge step forward for child health and the pediatric workforce in England and Scotland.
“This newly announced program has the potential to transform health services for children during the winter months by reducing hospital admissions and could even save young lives.
“Reducing RSV cases annually would allow us to target many more children and young people who need emergency care during the winter months.
“Vaccination plays a key role in protecting children’s health, but we are seeing a worrying decline in uptake in many common childhood immunisations.
“As pediatricians, we want to continue to promote the use of vaccinations to win the fight against these dangerous, preventable infections.”