RSV Vaccine
What the RSV vaccine is for
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life.
It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses such as:
- pneumonia (a lung infection)
- bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies)
These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems. They may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.
Getting RSV can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Who should have the RSV vaccine
The RSV vaccine is recommended if:
- you’re pregnant – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after they’re born
- you’re aged 75 to 79
You’re not eligible for the RSV vaccine if you turned 80 before 1 September 2024.
How to get the RSV vaccine
There are different ways to get the RSV vaccine.
If you’re pregnant
You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.
Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But the vaccine can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.
Speak to your maternity service or GP surgery if you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.
If you’re aged 75 to 79
Contact the surgery to enquire about your eligibility, and to book an appointment.
How the RSV vaccine is given
The RSV vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.
Unlike some vaccines (such as flu or COVID-19 vaccines), the RSV vaccine is given all year round.
If you’re pregnant, you should have the vaccine during every pregnancy. This will help make sure each baby is protected for the first 6 months after they’re born, when they’re most likely to get seriously ill if they get RSV.
Older adults only need 1 dose, which should protect them for several years.
Having the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines
If you’re pregnant, you can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccines, such as the whooping cough and flu vaccines.
But it’s best to have them as soon as they’re offered rather than waiting to have them at the same time.
If you’re aged 75 to 79, the RSV vaccine is not usually given at the same appointment as your flu or COVID-19 vaccines, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it’s needed.
You can have it at the same time as other vaccines, such as the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.
Who cannot have the RSV vaccine
Most people who are eligible for the RSV vaccine can have it.
You only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.
For more information on the RSV vaccine, visit RSV vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Who’s at risk from RSV
RSV infections are very common. Almost all children get them at least once before they’re 2 years old.
They’re not usually serious, but some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, particularly:
- babies under 6 months old
- young children who were born prematurely
- adults over 75 years
- babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
- people who smoke tobacco and babies exposed to tobacco smoke
In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital.
RSV can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in babies and older adults.
How to avoid catching and spreading RSV
RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.
There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as:
- wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly
- try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you’ve used them
- try to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions
RSV vaccination
The RSV vaccine is recommended if:
- you’re pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born
- you’re aged 75 to 79
The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
If you’re aged 75 to 79, your GP surgery will contact you about getting vaccinated.
If you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more, you can speak to your maternity service or GP surgery about getting vaccinated.
Symptoms of an RSV infection
Symptoms of an RSV infection usually start within a few days of getting infected.
Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:
- a runny or blocked nose
- a cough
- sneezing
- tiredness
- a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)
Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual.
If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:
- a cough that gets worse
- shortness of breath
- faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
- difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
- noisy breathing (wheezing)
- confusion (in older adults)
Non-urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
– your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
– your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration
– your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, feels sweaty or is shivering
– your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
– you or a child aged 5 years or older has a temperature below 36C
– your child is very tired or irritable
– you get cold symptoms and you have a long-term medical condition (such as a heart or lung condition) or a weakened immune system (for example, because you’re having chemotherapy)
– you have difficulty breathing – you may be more short of breath than usual
Check symptoms on 111 online (for anyone aged 5 and over) or call 111 (for children under 5).
For more information about how to do this, see:
– high temperature in children
– high temperature in adults
If you do not have a thermometer, look for signs such as the back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills).
Non-urgent advice: Call 999 if:
– you have severe difficulty breathing – you’re gasping, choking or not able to get words out
– you or your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
– you or your child’s lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
– your child is under 5 years and has a temperature below 36C
As a parent, you may know if your child seems seriously unwell and should trust your judgement.
Treatment for RSV infections
There’s no specific treatment for an RSV infection.
It often gets better on its own in 1 or 2 weeks and you can usually look after yourself or your child at home.
Children and adults who get a more serious infection may need to be treated in hospital.
Treatment in hospital may include being given fluids to avoid dehydration or oxygen to help you breathe.
Things you can do to ease symptoms of an RSV infection
If you or your child have mild RSV symptoms, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms.
Do
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a high temperature and are uncomfortable
- give your child children’s paracetamol or children’s ibuprofen if they have a high temperature and are uncomfortable – always check the leaflet to make sure it’s suitable for your child
- try using saline nose drops from a pharmacy if your or your child’s nose is blocked
- drink lots of fluids – try smaller feeds more often in babies, and give older children extra water or diluted fruit juice
Don’t
- do not give aspirin to children under 16
- do not smoke around your child – children who breathe in cigarette smoke have a higher risk of getting serious RSV infections
- do not try to lower your child’s temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off all their clothes
Page last reviewed: 17 September 2024