The NHS is urging those who are eligible to start thinking about getting their winter vaccinations.
This year, the NHS will be offering COVID, flu and RSV vaccinations to keep those most at risk from being unwell protected over the winter months.
RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, is relatively unknown among the public. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and can be very serious for infants and the elderly.
The RSV rollout will start from 1 September, and it includes a vaccine for pregnant women over 28 weeks to help protect their newborn babies and a routine programme for those aged 75 to 79 years of age.
Flu vaccinations will be available for pregnant women and children from 1 September and from 3 October COVID and flu vaccinations will be available for all the other eligible cohorts.
Dr Dave Briggs, Medical Director at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “Every winter the NHS urges eligible people to get vaccinated to protect themselves from falling seriously unwell over the colder months when nasty viruses spread more easily.
“We may not want to start thinking about the winter months at the moment, but it is important that those who are most vulnerable start to think about getting protected.
“The COVID and flu vaccinations are offered every winter to those most at risk and I welcome the UK being the first country to start offering vaccinations against RSV, which can be a very nasty illness, especially for young children.
“These vaccination programmes will save lives and significantly reduce the burden on the NHS during the challenging winter months ahead.”
“We anticipate that most flu and COVID-19 vaccinations should be completed by Friday 20 December 2024.”
