Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is a group of experts in the UK that advises the Government on vaccines and immunisation. In September 2023, the JCVI recommended developing an RSV immunisation programme for infants and older adults. 

The RSV programme will protect thousands of infants and older people from serious illness each winter, keeping more people out of hospital and from needing to see a GP. 

The vaccination could save 1,000 young children every year in Wales from going to hospital and could save the lives of over 100 older people each year.   

There are now safe and effective vaccines available and it has been recommended that an RSV immunisation programme be planned across all nations of the UK. 
 

What is RSV? 

RSV is a common virus that spreads in autumn and winter. Almost all children have had RSV by the time they are two years old. It is common for older children and adults to have the virus again.   

For most people, RSV causes a mild illness, such as a cough or cold. However, babies under one year of age and older adults are at risk of becoming very unwell. Sometimes, people who get ill from RSV infection need to go to hospital. RSV can be more dangerous for some people, especially those with certain health conditions. It may even cause death. 

RSV illness puts extra pressure on the NHS during winter. The number of people needing hospital care because of RSV has gone up in the last 20 years.

Before the RSV vaccination programme started in the UK, around 33,500 children under five went to hospital because of the virus each year. Every winter in England and Wales, RSV is thought to cause 5,000 to 7,500 deaths in older adults. Most of these deaths are in adults over 75 years.   

We have now started delivering of the vaccine, for more information, please head to Public Health Wales: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination information - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

Community Vaccination Clinics

A list of Community Vaccination Clinics can be found here: Vaccination Pop-up Clinics - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.