RSV Vaccine

When to book the RSV vaccine

The RSV vaccine is currently recommended for:

• Adults aged 75 to 79 - a single dose through the NHS programme to protect against severe RSV illness
• Pregnant women - vaccination between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, which protects newborns during their most vulnerable first months

If you fall outside these groups but are concerned about RSV, speak to our pharmacists about your options, as eligibility may expand as the programme develops. Those most at risk of severe illness are adults aged 75 and over, babies under six months, and people with chronic lung or heart conditions or weakened immune systems.

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus is a highly contagious virus infecting the lungs and airways, with outbreaks peaking in autumn and winter. Most healthy adults get a mild cold-like illness, but RSV can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia in vulnerable groups and is a leading cause of winter hospital admissions in both older adults and young children.

Symptoms usually appear four to six days after infection:

• A runny or blocked nose
• Coughing, which may become persistent or wheezy
• Sneezing and sore throat
• Mild to moderate fever
• Headache and fatigue
• In severe cases, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing or a worsening cough

How the vaccine works

The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies against RSV, protecting against severe lower respiratory tract disease. Clinical trials show it significantly reduces severe RSV illness and hospitalisation in older adults.

In pregnancy, antibodies pass through the placenta to your baby, giving passive immunity through the first critical months. This approach has been shown to substantially reduce RSV hospitalisations in newborns and is part of routine NHS antenatal care.

Side effects

• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
• Tiredness for a day or two
• Headache
• Muscle or joint aches
• Mild fever

Serious side effects are very rare.

RSV and other winter illnesses

RSV circulates alongside flu and COVID-19, and it is safe to have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccinations where recommended. RSV spreads through respiratory droplets and can survive on surfaces for hours, so regular handwashing, avoiding close contact with people who have cold-like symptoms, cleaning frequently touched surfaces and staying home when unwell all reduce transmission.

Find the RSV vaccine near you

Eligibility check, consultation, a single injection in the upper arm and aftercare advice, from qualified pharmacists in private consultation rooms with no waiting lists during vaccination season. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.