RSV Vaccination Programme
As of September 2024, Nunwell Surgery will be offering RSV vaccines to patients aged 75 to 79 years old. Please read the following information about RSV and vaccine campaign carefully.
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major respiratory virus that is most common over the winter period, typically October to February. While the symptoms are mild for many, RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations of children under 5 in the UK annually, and for 20 to 30 infant deaths.
RSV can also be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia and flare-ups of existing lung disease and other long-term conditions. It causes around 9,000 hospitalisations in those aged over 75 in the UK each year.
The symptoms of RSV
RSV may cause a cough or a cold, wheezing, shortness of breath, tiredness and fever. Most cases are not serious and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks.
You can find out more about the symptoms of RSV at NHS – RSV
RSV can also cause bronchiolitis in infants, which can make it difficult to breathe and feed. RSV bronchiolitis symptoms may include difficult, fast or noisy breathing and being unsettled or difficult to comfort.
RSV vaccination
From August 2024 in Scotland and September 2024 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, pregnant women at week 28 or later and everyone aged 75 to 79 or turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September will be offered a vaccine to protect themselves or their babies against RSV.
Maternal
- From September 2024, pregnant women can have a vaccine to help protect theirbabies against RSV
- You should get your free RSV vaccine when you reach 28 weeks of pregnancy.
- You should speak to your maternity service or GP surgery to get your vaccine
- Studies have shown the RSV vaccine is very safe for you and your baby
- A vaccine is needed in every pregnancy to give your new baby the best protection
Older Adults:
- A single dose of vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.
- Everyone turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September 2024 will be offered a single dose of RSV vaccine.
- The vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years on 1 September 2024
Booking an appointment
In order to provide the opportunity to as many patients as possible to receive their RSV vaccine before the COVID & Flu Autumn vaccination programmes in October, we have set up dedicated clinics at the Surgery starting 9th September 2024.
Once these clinics have finished, eligible patients will be able to book into our usual nursing clinics for an appointment to receive their vaccine.
If you would like to book an appointment for your RSV vaccine, appointments will be available via your online services provider (such as NHS app or Patient Access). Look for the appointment type “RSV Vaccination”
Alternatively, please contact Reception on 01885 483412 between 2pm and 6.30pm (Monday – Friday).
If you would like to decline this offer, please email [email protected] and include your name, date of birth & the first line of your address. Alternatively, you can write to us at
Nunwell Surgery, 10 Pump Street, Bromyard, HR7 4BZ