UK-wide RSV vaccine rollout to begin from next month

The disease, a contagious respiratory infection which nine out of 10 children catch before their second birthday, hospitalises thousands of babies each year, according to NHS figures.

“Not only will this vaccine save lives and protect the most vulnerable, it will help ease pressure on our broken NHS”

Andrew Gwynne

While it is common, mostly causing only cold-like symptoms in adults, it can also cause “serious” health complications in people over 75, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Every year thousands of deaths across the country are caused by RSV, mostly among elderly people, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Following trials and recommendations from the UKHSA, a vaccine programme for RSV is being rolled across the UK.

It will begin with Scotland next month, before Wales, England and Northern Ireland follow suit in September.

People aged 75-79 will be invited for the vaccine from the commencement of the programme, while women at least 28 weeks pregnant will also be eligible until they give birth.

The vaccine can then be offered again for any future pregnancies, said the UK Department of Health and social Care (DHSC).

UKHSA said the RSV vaccine, based on clinical trials, was found to be 70% effective in preventing severe infection for babies born of an immunised mother for six months.

Midwives will be encouraged to inform pregnant women about the RSV vaccine and point them to where they can get it. It will then be administered via primary care staff, mostly practice nurses.

England’s vaccine programme will begin on 1 September, featuring a “one-off” campaign to get 75-79-year-olds to get their immunisation.

Around 30,000 children each year in England are hospitalised by RSV and the DHSC said the disease was responsible for around 20-30 infant deaths a year.

Andrew Gwynne, the new public health minister, said: “As someone who has seen the devastating effects of RSV firsthand. I am thrilled to see the UK leading in the way in tackling this devastating disease.

“My own grandson contracted RSV when he was just days old, leading to weeks in intensive care, and a lifelong impact on his health. I don’t want anyone to go through what he went through.

“Not only will this vaccine save lives and protect the most vulnerable, it will help ease pressure on our broken NHS, freeing up thousands of hospital beds as we head into winter,” she said.

In Wales, RSV hospitalises around 1,000 young babies each year, and leads to 5,400 GP consultations and 3,700 visits to A&E. As in England, the vaccine will become available in Wales from 1 September.

Eluned Morgan, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for health and social care, added: “I am delighted to announce the introduction of an RSV vaccine in Wales.

“Evidence shows that the vaccine is safe and effective and vaccinating our mothers-to-be will help to prevent our youngest babies becoming seriously ill from the virus from birth.

“This vaccine will also help us to keep older adults safe over the winter months and I would encourage all those who are eligible to come forward,” she said.

The UKHSA told the UK government, and the UK nations’ devolved administrations, that the vaccine should be offered permanently and throughout the year.

The agency, in its recommendation documents, said there is currently a “significant burden” of RSV illness on UK health systems, particularly in winter months when cases were at their peak.

Speaking after the announcement of the programme UKHSA chief executive Professor Jenny Harries said: “This new vaccine offers huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV, helping to protect lives and ease winter pressures for the NHS.

“UKHSA has provided critical scientific information to evidence the benefits of a national RSV immunisation programme and so the rollout of the vaccine is a truly positive moment for the public’s health.”

Dr Mike McKean, vice president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), also said he was “delighted” about the news of a UK-wide RSV vaccine.

“The calls of thousands of paediatricians and health professionals for a much-needed RSV programme have been heard,” said Dr McKean, whose organisation has campaigned for this for years.

He added: “This newly announced programme has the potential to transform child health services during the winter months by reducing hospital admissions and could even save young lives.

“A reduction in RSV cases annually would allow us to focus on the many other children and young people requiring emergency care over winter months.”