Minister for Public Health and Prevention (): I am today confirming
that the new immunisation programme to protect infants, with a
vaccine during pregnancy, and older adults against Respiratory
Syncytial Virus (RSV) will start this September.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild,
cold-like symptoms but can cause severe illness, especially for
young infants and older adults. There is a significant burden of
RSV illness in the UK population which greatly impacts NHS
services during the winter months. RSV accounts for over 30,000
hospital admissions for children under 5 and is estimated to
cause around 9,000 admissions amongst adults over the age of 75
each year. The programme could free up thousands of hospital bed
days and help to prevent hundreds of deaths each year.
In June 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
(JCVI) advised that an RSV immunisation programme that is cost
effective should be developed to protect both infants and older
adults. From September, a routine programme will begin in England
for those turning 75 and for pregnant women, who will be offered
vaccination from 28 weeks of pregnancy until full term to protect
their baby during the first months of life when they are most
vulnerable to RSV. A one-off campaign will also run from
September 2024 until 31 August 2025 for all older adults aged
75-79 years old on 1 September 2024.
The UK Health Security Agency are now working rapidly with the
NHS to ensure we are ready, in September, to deliver the UK's
first RSV vaccination programme. The programme will save lives
and protect people most at risk. We are delighted that the RSV
vaccination programme will begin soon across all four UK nations.
His Majesty's Government is encouraging eligible members of the
population to come forward for their vaccination when they have
been invited to do so by the NHS, to protect those most
vulnerable to RSV illness and to reduce NHS winter pressures.
- Older adults will be invited to come forward when they turn
75 and will be able to book their vaccination appointment with
their GP.
- Older adults aged 75-79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be
invited to receive their RSV vaccination with their GP, in a
timely manner to ensure as many people as possible are protected
this winter.
- Those that are at least 28 weeks pregnant should speak to
their maternity service or GP surgery to get the vaccine to
protect their baby.
