I’m a general practitioner who has been working in London for seven years. I was glad to hear that the NHS is planning to give Londoners aged 75 to 79 free RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccines. As someone who works directly with patients, I know how hard RSV is on older people and health services every winter. I think that making more people eligible for vaccines is a good step. Read below about “Free RSV Vaccine for Ages 75-79: NHS to Invite Eligible Londoners Soon”.
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What is RSV?
RSV is a common lung virus that makes people feel like they have a cold. In a week or two, most people feel better. But RSV can be very dangerous, especially for older people and people who already have heart or lung problems.
In the winter, RSV outbreaks happen, which causes more people to go to the hospital. A record number of people were admitted to the NHS with RSV in 2022. Cases started to rise much earlier in the year. The NHS is under a lot of stress because of this large influx of people.
Who is most at risk from RSV?
RSV can infect anyone, even healthy people, but some groups are more likely to get a severe infection that needs to be treated in the hospital. From what I’ve seen, the people most at risk are:
- Adults ages 65 and up
- People who have long-term heart or lung problems
- People whose defense systems aren’t working well
- Young babies
Hospitalization rates for RSV go up sharply with age, so older people should get vaccinated. About 1% to 2% of children under 5 who are hospitalized with RSV may die. This is compared to the 4–5% death rate among people over 65 who are admitted with RSV.
Deaths from RSV hit a 20-year high in 2022, and nine out of ten of those deaths were in people over 65. Sadly, I have seen patients who came in healthy before getting worse quickly after getting RSV. By making more vaccines available, these kinds of problems can be avoided.
Free RSV Vaccine for Ages 75-79: NHS to Invite Eligible Londoners Soon
Because the number of admissions was going up, the UK cleared an RSV vaccine for people over 50 in December 2022. People over 65 and people at high risk were the first to get the update.
The NHS just recently said that people aged 75 to 79 will soon be able to get vaccinated. As a doctor of medicine, I will help give these shots to people in my neighborhood.
It is thought that the vaccine will protect against RSV infections about 80% of the time. Studies show that the shot greatly lessens the impact of RSV in people who still get it after being vaccinated.
Getting an RSV shot this season would protect people 75 to 79 years old very well before next winter’s outbreak. Getting fully immune takes two to four weeks, so it’s important to act quickly when you’re asked.
Who Should Consider RSV Vaccination?
The NHS told me to suggest RSV shots to patients who are qualified, especially those who are more likely to have problems. Medical proof tells me that people aged 75 to 79 should get vaccinated, especially if they:
- have long-term heart or lung problems
- Are heavy smokers now or in the past
- Not able to fight off sickness
- To live in a private care facility
Vaccinating people of more age groups is meant to protect more people and ease the strain on hospitals.
I also tell people over 50 about the choice that isn’t covered by the NHS program. If you are worried about RSV and are not yet qualified, you can get a vaccination by paying for it privately.
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What to Expect After Getting a Shot
The RSV shot doesn’t have any live viruses in it, so it can’t make you sick. Based on evidence from clinical trials, the side effects are usually mild and include:
- An injection site that is red, swollen, or hurts
- Aches in muscles
- A headache Tiredness
In very rare cases, allergic responses can happen after getting a shot. This is why patients are watched after getting a shot. Seek medical help if signs that worry you show up.
Taking Extra Care to Avoid RSV
Even though vaccinations are a good way to stay safe, they don’t always work. So, I tell my patients to keep doing the following to protect themselves from lung viruses:
- Often washing your hands
- Putting on masks in busy indoor places
- Putting up with coughs and sneezes
- Staying away from people who are showing symptoms
- Making sure that rooms inside are well-ventilated
Getting your flu and COVID shots on time also lowers your risk of needing to go to the hospital.
The RSV vaccine isn’t right for everyone, and there are some limits that depend on the person’s health. Before getting a shot, you should always talk to a doctor or nurse.
A Look Ahead
Restricting who can get the RSV vaccine to people aged 75 to 79 is a big step toward protecting older people. As a London NHS doctor, I’m glad that this move will save lives and ease the strain on health services.
Regardless, more growth is needed to include everyone over 50. The NHS also has to work hard to get the program up and running before winter next year.
Going forward, I hope that the RSV vaccine will eventually be given to all older people, just like the flu shot every year. For now, getting people aged 75 to 79 vaccinated right away will make a big difference. I hope you like reading “Free RSV Vaccine for Ages 75-79: NHS to Invite Eligible Londoners Soon”.
As long as RSV is still a threat, getting vaccinated is an important extra layer of defense on top of good hygiene and social precautions. I hope that in the next few years, there will be a lot fewer seriously ill older people with RSV because we will all be working together to boost immunity.
With over 5 years of experience exploring London’s diverse neighborhoods and a background in urban studies, our author brings a blend of expert knowledge and personal insights to alondonlist.com. Passionate about uncovering the city’s hidden gems and cultural hotspots, they offer readers practical tips and authentic experiences for making the most of London. Follow their adventures on Instagram.
