RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccination Programme
From August 2024 Flitwick Surgery will be contacting eligible patients to offer them the new RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine at the Surgery in September.
This is a separate vaccination to the ones given to protect against influenza (flu) and Covid. Flu and Covid vaccinations are not normally given at the same time as RSV and will be offered to eligible patients at a separate appointment in October 2024.
You will receive a separate invite for the Flu and Covid vaccinations.
How to Book Your RSV Vaccination
Patients will be sent links so they can book directly into a clinic. We will also email, call and send letters to those patients without a mobile number.
There is a direct line for this service which you can use to call in and book on 01525 723762 (if you call for any other reason you will be redirected or asked to call the general number.)
Clinic Dates
Friday, 6th September 2024 from 9 am to 5.45 pm
Tuesday, 10th September from 9 am to 12.45 noon.
Wednesday, 18th September from 9.00 am to 1245 noon.
Eligible Patients
Everyone turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September 2024 will be offered a single dose of RSV vaccine. This is because older adults are more at risk of serious complications from RSV. You can still get the vaccine up to the day before you turn 80.
For the first year of the programme, the vaccine will also be offered to those who are already aged 75 to 79 years on 1 September 2024 as part of a catch up programme.
Pregnant women at 28 weeks of pregnancy or more in order to protect their babies from RSV. You may also be offered this vaccination by your midwife at your 28 week antenatal appointment but please contact the surgery if you are unable to receive it there.
Attending Clinics
Please make sure that your left or right upper arm is easily accessible – so please wear short or baggy sleeved tops that can be easily rolled up.
As there will be lots of other patients attending please arrive on time and do not bring shopping or large bags with you.
You may also be offered pneumonia or shingles vaccinations at the same time if you are eligible.
Further information about RSV and the new vaccination can be found at:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
We have included some information below taken from the NHS leaflets on RSV and would suggest that you look on the NHS websites as this information is not exhaustive. Our staff will be willing to help answers any questions you may have in advance or at the clinics.
What is RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including cough, sore throat, sneezing and runny or blocked nose. It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.
There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves.
Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system.
RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis each year in England.
Why do we need to protect babies from RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed.
Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system.
How do you catch RSV?
RSV infections can occur all year round but cases peak every winter.
RSV can spread through coughs and sneezes. You can help to prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (ideally with a tissue, or else into the bend of your elbow), and you can wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of picking up the virus. Even with these measures it can be difficult to avoid RSV infection.
The best way to protect is to have the vaccination.
How does the vaccine work?
Almost all older adults will have had several RSV infections during their life. A single dose of vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.
For pregnant women the vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born. RSV vaccination reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6 months of life.
After this age your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV. Older children and adults can also get RSV infection, but the disease is more serious for small babies and people
Do I need to have the vaccine every year?
No, a single dose is expected to give you good protection for a few years.
Pregnant women should consider an RSV vaccination in every pregnancy to give the new baby best protection.
When should I get vaccinated (information for pregnant women)?
You should be offered the vaccination at around the time of your 28 week antenatal appointment. If you haven’t heard by this stage, contact your maternity service or GP practice to make an appointment. Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help you build a good level of antibodies to pass on to your baby before birth. This will give your baby the best protection, including if they are born early.
You can still have the vaccine later in your pregnancy but it may be less effective. If it wasn’t possible to have your vaccine earlier, it can be given right up until you have the baby.
If you have it very late in pregnancy, it may still protect you from infection and reduce the risk of you spreading infection to your newborn baby.
Can I have the RSV vaccine at the same time as my COVID-19 or flu vaccine?
RSV isn’t normally arranged to be given at the same appointment as your COVID-19 or flu vaccines. For this reason we are arranging to offer the RSV vaccination in September so you can have a flu or covid vaccination when they become available for the majority of patients in October 2024.
In certain clinical circumstances, your doctor or nurse can safely offer them at the same time.
Can I have the RSV vaccine at the same time as the shingles or pneumococcal vaccine?
Yes, you can have these vaccines at the same time.
Where can I get more information?
You can read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine called Abrysvo here
If you have further questions, speak to your practice nurse, GP, Midwife or health team or check the NHS websites.