The NHS across London is urging older people in the capital who have not yet had the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to get vaccinated.
Invites are being sent to people not yet vaccinated against RSV who are aged 75-79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024, encouraging them to book an appointment with their GP.
Chief Nurse for the NHS in London Karen Bonner said: “RSV spreads all year round and affects the airways and lungs, and for older adults can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions. It is vital that eligible older people get vaccinated against RSV.
“I would encourage everyone we contact in the coming days, or anyone who has been invited but hasn’t yet taken up the offer, to get the RSV vaccine as soon as possible by contacting their GP.”
On 1 September, the NHS started vaccinating people against RSV for the first time in its history and staff have been working hard since then to reach as many eligible people as possible – with over 127,000 people in London getting the vaccine, including more than 101,000 aged 75-80. The vaccine reduces the risk of severe symptoms and only one dose is needed.
A study in the Lancet found that across the country as a whole the first season of vaccination could prevent up to 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses in older adults. In London this means the vaccine could prevent around 3,600 GP consultations, plus around 2,700 emergency department attendances every year.
GP Dr Julie Hammond said: “RSV can have serious, potentially life-threatening implications. For newborns, this highly contagious virus can quickly escalate from mild cold symptoms to severe breathing difficulties, requiring urgent medical care. In older adults, especially those with underlying health conditions, RSV can cause serious complications like pneumonia, leading to extended hospital stays and challenging recoveries.
“For pregnant women, vaccination is a powerful way to pass on life-saving immunity to their babies, protecting them in those critical first six months of life and reducing babies’ risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70%.
“I strongly urge everyone eligible to have a conversation with their GP or local pharmacist about the RSV vaccine. This simple step could make the difference between mild symptoms and serious illness, not just for yourself but your loved ones too.”
Pregnant women are also eligible for the vaccine from 28 weeks onwards, as RSV is a leading cause of infant mortality, with nearly 25,000 women being vaccinated since September.
