NHS expands free life-saving jabs to fight dangerous virus with flu-like symptoms

Thousands more Brits will receive vaccinations this year against a potentially deadly virus with symptoms that causes more than 50,000 hospitalisations annually.

The Department for Health and Social Care expanded access to the life-saving jab this month to prevent these and the 8,000 deaths linked to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) every year. While many who come into contact with this bug will just experience a runny nose, a cough, and a temperature, for vulnerable groups, it can cause deadly chest and lung infections.

In September 2024, the announced that pregnant women and people aged 75 to 79 would be given the RSV vaccine for the first time as part of a wider programme of preventative health measures aimed at easing the winter pressures faced by . With the virus also causing dangerous bronchiolitis in babies, the health service is hoping the campaign will also cut infant mortality.

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Every year, around 30,0000 children are hospitalised with RSV, 100 of whom will sadly die as a result of the infection. While adults make up a smaller portion (18,000) of those occupying hospital beds, the virus typically contributes to the deaths of roughly 7500 adults.

The NHS is now rolling out the RSV jab to over 200 community pharmacies across the country in an effort to make it easier for Brits to get the vaccination, which was previously offered at GP surgeries. Last year, just half of those offered the protection against RSV took up the jab.

RSV is a common winter bug that is spread through coughs and sneezes and contact with surfaces contaminated with the respiratory virus. While for many, the symptoms are indistinguishable from a cold or flu, in young babies and older people, the symptoms can be more severe.

In medical trials, the RSV vaccine was found to reduce these symptoms by around 80 per cent, placing these vulnerable groups at lower risk of becoming seriously ill and requiring hospital treatment if infected. Pregnant women past 28 weeks are being urged to take up the jab as it can also protect babies up to one year of age, the group most likely to become seriously ill.

It is hoped that by giving community pharmacies this greater role in delivering vaccinations, the government can free up GP practices to deliver other frontline healthcare. Malcolm Harrison, director of the Company Chemists' Association, told the : "We urge that pharmacies are commissioned to deliver a wider range of NHS vaccines nationally.

"We estimate that this could free up 10 million GP appointments each year."

At the rollout of the RSV vaccine program in September, Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, shared: “Sadly my grandson caught RSV just days after he was born. It led to weeks in intensive care and left him with long-lasting health issues.

“RSV is preventable, and it is crucial that we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This new vaccine programme will reduce thousands of hospitalisations and save precious lives.

“I strongly urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and secure the future health of your children and loved ones.”