The NHS is urging older people in the East of England who have not yet had the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to get jabbed, as health service chiefs warn it is “not just a winter illness”.

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. RSV is also a leading cause of infant mortality, with nearly 150,000 women being vaccinated since September.

Invites will be sent this week to people who are aged 75-79, or turned 80 after 1 September 2024 and have not yet been vaccinated against RSV, encouraging them to book an appointment with their GP. Pregnant women are also eligible for the vaccine from 28 weeks onwards.

Find out more: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/news/more-over-75s-in-the-east-of-england-invited-to-get-rsv-vaccine-to-protect-against-the-year-round-illness/