1.3m people urged to get RSV jab amid warning it is ‘not just a winter illness’ More than one million older people in England will be invited to get vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with health officials warning it 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.
Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist, UK Health Security Agency, said: “RSV can be severe in older people, causing serious lung infections like pneumonia and flare-ups of existing conditions.
“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.”.
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.
