Health · Public Health & Disease · 3 hrs ago
Wales expands RSV vaccine offer to some adults aged 65 to 74
Wales has extended its RSV vaccine offer this autumn to higher-risk adults aged 65 to 74, including people who are immunosuppressed or have chronic respiratory disease.
The vaccine is already routinely offered to all adults aged 75 and over and to pregnant women from 28 weeks.
RSV circulates each winter and is often mild, but it can cause serious illness such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
In Wales, RSV is linked to thousands of GP appointments and hospital admissions each year, and hundreds of deaths among people over 75.
The vaccine can help prevent severe illness, and it is separate from the flu vaccine.
Eligible people are urged to get their RSV vaccine, flu jab and COVID-19 booster; older adults need the RSV vaccine once, while pregnant women should have it with every pregnancy.
Wales has expanded its RSV vaccine offer this autumn to higher-risk adults aged 65 to 74.
The offer includes people who are immunosuppressed or have chronic respiratory disease.
The vaccine is also routinely offered year-round to all adults aged 75 and over and to pregnant women from 28 weeks.
RSV can cause serious illness, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in older people, babies and those with weakened immune systems.
The Welsh government says the RSV vaccine is separate from the flu vaccine.
- Who
- Higher-risk adults aged 65 to 74 in Wales are newly eligible for the RSV vaccine.
- What
- Wales has extended its RSV vaccine offer to some adults aged 65 to 74.
- When
- This autumn.
- Where
- Wales.
- Why
- RSV can cause serious illness, particularly in older people and those with weakened immune systems.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Newly eligible age group
- Higher-risk adults aged 65 to 74
- Newly eligible risk groups
- People who are immunosuppressed or have chronic respiratory disease
- Routine adult offer
- All adults aged 75 and over
- Pregnancy offer
- From 28 weeks
- Vaccine timing
- Extended this autumn
What people are saying
I urge all who are eligible to come forward for their flu jab, their COVID-19 booster and their RSV vaccine.
They protect against different viruses, and it really can make the difference between a mild illness and a serious hospital stay,
powerful reminder of how serious RSV can be
Sources
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