Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including cough, core throat, sneezing and a runny or blocked nose. It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die.

RSV can also affect babies and can cause a lung condition called bronchiolitis. In some cases this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital each your in England. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and in some cases the infection can be fatal. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions which affect their heart, breathing or immune system.

A vaccine to help protect against RSV will be available on the NHS from 1 September 2024 and you will be able to get the vaccine if:

You’re aged 75 to 79

You’re 28 weeks pregnant or more – this will help to protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born.

If you’re aged 75 to 79, we will be contacting you about getting vaccinated. Please wait to be contacted.