RSV vaccine
The RSV vaccine helps protect against infection with RSV, a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It’s offered on the NHS if you’re pregnant, aged 75 or over, or live in a care home for older adults.
What the RSV vaccine is for
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life.
It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses, such as:
- pneumonia (a lung infection)
- bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies)
These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems. They may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.
Getting an RSV infection can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Who should have the RSV vaccine
You can get a free RSV vaccination on the NHS if:
- you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy to help protect your baby after they’re born
- you’re aged 75 or over
- you live in a care home for older adults
If you’re pregnant
You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.
Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But the vaccine can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.
How the RSV vaccine is given
The RSV vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.
Unlike some vaccines (such as flu or COVID-19 vaccines), the RSV vaccine is given all year round.
If you’re pregnant, you should have the vaccine during every pregnancy. This will help make sure each baby is protected for the first 6 months after they’re born, when they’re most likely to get seriously ill if they get RSV.
Older adults only need 1 dose, which should protect them for several years.
Having the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
If you’re pregnant, you can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccines, such as the whooping cough and flu vaccines.
But it’s best to have them as soon as they’re offered rather than waiting to have them at the same time.
The RSV vaccine is not usually given at the same appointment as flu vaccines in older adults, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it’s needed.
You can have it at the same time as other vaccines, such as the COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.
Side effects of the RSV vaccine
The most common side effects of the RSV vaccine are mild and do not last long.
They can include:
- swelling or pain where the injection was given
- a headache
- an aching body
More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Very rarely, older adults who’ve had the RSV vaccine may get Guillain-Barré syndrome (a condition that affects the nerves).
Symptoms can include tingling or numbness in your feet and hands, followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving your joints.
But overall, it’s safer to have the vaccine than risk getting a potentially serious RSV infection.
If you have any questions please contact the practice, you can submit one of our online consultation forms https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com/2/OnlineConsultation?OrgId=A86022
Eligible patients should have received either an SMS, email or NHS app notification with a direct booking link.
