Millions of Brits will be offered a new vaccination that protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from September 1, in a bid to ease winter pressures on the NHS – but who is eligible for the jab?
The major virus typically strikes between November to February, and causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract, warns the Mayo Clinic. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the illness causes between 20 to 30 infant deaths every year in the UK, and around 30,000 children under five are hospitalised.
What’s more, around 9,000 Brits aged over 75 are hospitalised with RSV, which has been linked to pneumonia and flare-ups of existing lung disease in older adults. Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said: “RSV is a very serious illness, infecting up to 90 percent of children by the age of two and causing thousands of babies and older people to spend time in hospital over winter – so this rollout is a huge step forward and will undoubtedly save the lives of many of those most at risk.”
Infections are most common in infants under one because they have small airways and limited immunity against the virus which can lead to a condition called bronchiolitis, explains UKHSA. Here’s everything you need to know about the new vaccine.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
Those eligible for the RSV vaccine include pregnant women over 28 weeks to help protect their newborn babies, as well as those aged between 75 to 79 on September 1. Individuals turning 75 after this date will also receive an invitation from their GP once eligible.
Information from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has revealed that people in these groups are most at risk of the illness. The new vaccine programme is set to deliver a whopping 1.4 million doses for children under five and a further 3.5 million for the older generation over the next two years.
Trials have shown that the jab could slash the risk of severe lower respiratory tract disease in the elderly by an impressive 89 percent within a single viral season. Mr Russell advised: “We strongly encourage those aged 75 to 79 to come forward for their vaccine when they are invited from September and for women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant to speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to ensure their baby is protected.”
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, added: “Not only will this vaccine save lives and protect the most vulnerable, it will help ease pressure on our broken NHS, freeing up thousands of hospital beds as we head into winter.” The vaccine rollout in Wales and Northern Ireland will also start in September, while Scotland kicked off the programme on August 12.
How does the RSV vaccine work?
According to Yale Medicine, the vaccine works by introducing an inactivated RSV protein into the body. The health site continued: “It fuses to host cells and stimulates the immune system to recognize the actual RSV virus if or when it encounters it and help prevent severe disease.”
Symptoms of RSV
Warning signs of RSV often strike within the first few days of an infections, and symptoms typically include:
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Runny or blocked nose
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Sneezing
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Coughing
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Tiredness
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High temperature – such as your chest or back feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering
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Babies may also be more irritable and feed less than usual.
The NHS warned that if it develops into a more serious infection, such as bronchiolitis, it could cause the following symptoms:
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A cough that gets worse
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Faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
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Difficulty feeding or eating
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Noisy breathing (wheezing).
You should seek medical help immediately if you’re worried that you or your child is seriously ill or symptoms are getting worse.
How is RSV spread?
The CDC say the disease is transmissible in a number of ways. These include when:
- An infected person coughs or sneezes
- You get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth
- You touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands
- You have direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “You can protect yourself and others by washing your hands regularly, using a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes and washing your hands afterwards, and staying away from others if you feel unwell. RSV is another reason why babies need protection from tobacco smoke as this is linked with more severe RSV infections.”