RSV – it’s not just a winter vaccine

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those eligible that the potentially life-saving Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination aimed at protecting newborns and older adults is available all year round, it’s not just a winter vaccine.

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: “RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system, particularly in young children and older adults. RSV infections often leads to mild cold-like symptoms, but in some cases, especially in infants and individuals with compromised immune systems, it can cause severe respiratory issues and hospitalisation. Last year 511 infants under the age of one were hospitalised with RSV.”

The RSV vaccination was introduced to help protect newborns and infants through the vaccination of pregnant women from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. Adults aged from 75 to 79 years of age are also offered the RSV vaccination.

Rachel Spiers continued: “If you’re eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn baby from RSV, no matter what time of the year it is.

“The RSV vaccination offered to pregnant women reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first six months of your baby’s life. It’s therefore important to take up the offer of the RSV vaccine even if you’re having a spring or summer baby, as the protection lasts into the autumn or winter. 

“For older adults the RSV vaccine provides good protection for at least two years, and is expected to last longer, so again it is important to take up the offer of vaccination no matter what month of the year it is.”

Pregnant women

Pregnant women should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of their 28-week antenatal appointment at the HSC Trust where they are receiving their antenatal care. Speak to your midwife if you have not yet been offered the vaccine. The timing of the vaccine offer will help protect your newborn baby from serious illness caused by an RSV infection. 

Older adults

Your GP will invite you for vaccination once you turn 75. This can be at any time throughout the year. 

Older adults’ catch-up cohort

Those aged 76 to 79 are currently eligible as part of a catch-up programme. The catch-up programme ends in September 2025, so this is the last opportunity to get vaccinated for this group. 

Rachel Spiers concluded: “The virus spreads through respiratory droplets, making it easily transmissible, especially in crowded settings. This vaccination programme will help some of those who are most at-risk from getting an RSV infection.

“If you are eligible, I would strongly encourage you to get vaccinated to give yourself or your newborn the best protection from RSV and any potentially serious illness it can bring.”