1,300,000 people urged to get vaccine against spreading respiratory virus More than one million people in England have been urged to get vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with health officials warning that the virus is ‘not just a winter illness’.
The vaccine for RSV was first rolled out in September 2024, with almost 1.5 million people getting jabs, including more than 1.3 million people aged between 75 and 80.
While RSV infections are common and not usually serious, adults over the age of 75, babies under six months and people with a weakened immune system can become severely ill.
‘We see cases increase in winter but it can occur all year round and can make older people seriously ill, so it is vital everyone eligible gets vaccinated – which is why are now working hard to reach anyone who hasn’t yet been jabbed and urging them to book an appointment.’.
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days of getting infected.
