Programme: Introduction of new NHS vaccination programmes against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), UKHSA & RSV vaccination: CMO letter to Health Boards, Scottish Government
What are the main points?
> Two RSV vaccination programmes will be rolled out from September (England) and August (Scotland) 2024, for older adults and pregnant women (for infant protection).
> In England, all women at least 28 weeks pregnant will be offered a single dose of RSV vaccine on 1 September. After that date, pregnant women will be eligible from 28 weeks until birth.
> This follows advice from the JCVI in June 2023 and an open letter by the RCPCH in March this year. The RCPCH state their hope that announcements in Wales and Northern Ireland will follow.
> The RCPCH are also asking all health professionals to use every opportunity to highlight the vaccine and improve uptake. RSV is responsible for around 33,000 hospitalisations of under-fives annually.
EXPERT THOUGHT
Dr Mike McKean, RCPCH VP for policy said: ‘This newly announced programme has the potential to transform child health services during the winter months by reducing hospital admissions and could even save young lives. A reduction in RSV cases annually would allow us to focus on the many other children and young people requiring emergency care over winter months.’
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