As a health care writer with seven years of experience, I’m happy to report that people over 75 in Camden can now get the RSV vaccine for free. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common virus that can make people very sick, especially older adults. The new vaccine that was approved is the first of its kind to protect this high-risk group against RSV. Read below about “Free RSV Vaccine for Over-75s Now Available in Camden- Here’s How to Get It?”.
I’ll talk about RSV in general, why older people are more likely to get it, the new vaccine in more detail, and most importantly, how people over 75 in Camden can get this possibly life-saving vaccine for free.
Table of Contents
What does RSV mean?
RSV is a virus that affects the lungs and airways that carry air. It can be very easily spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching areas that are already infected. The CDC says that most kids will have had an RSV illness by the time they are 2 years old.
Children and people who are healthy often get mild cold-like symptoms from RSV, like a runny nose, cough, and fever. But RSV can be much more dangerous for people who are already at a high risk, like adults over 65.
Why are older people more likely to get a dangerous RSV illness?
We naturally lose strength in our immune systems as we get older. This makes it harder to fight off infections like RSV. Even if the RSV virus doesn’t cause any major symptoms at first, it can still cause serious health problems later on.
RSV can get worse in older people and lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma or COPD flare-ups, breathing problems, or even death. RSV is the cause of about 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths among seniors in the US alone every year.
I have seen for myself how terrible RSV can be for adults who are already weak. When I worked as a nurse in an assisted living home, I took care of a lot of elderly people who got RSV in the winter. Some people who had RSV never fully returned their lung function. Sad to say, some beloved residents died because of problems with RSV.
This shows how important it is to have a vaccine for adults to protect them from getting RSV. Thank goodness that shot is now available.
Introducing the New RSV Vaccine for Older Adults
The FDA cleared a vaccine in October 2022 that is meant to protect adults aged 60 and up against RSV. GSK makes this vaccine, which is sold under the brand name Nirsevimab.
Nirsevimab is not like other vaccines in how it works. It has antibodies made in a lab that help the immune system fight off RSV before it infects the body. It is given as a single shot during RSV season to protect against it for a few months, which is when it is most common.
In clinical studies, Nirsevimab worked very well. Compared to the placebo, it cut RSV lower respiratory tract sickness by more than 80%. It was also found that the vaccine was safe and had few side effects.
This medicine was first approved in the UK in 2022. After being approved by the European Medicines Agency, the vaccine was soon also approved by the FDA. At this time, the CDC says that all US adults ages 60 and up should get an RSV vaccine.
The goal is to make this vaccine easier to get to the adults who need it the most now that Nirsevimab has been approved. Let’s talk about how Camden is putting it into place.
How do people over 75 in Camden get the free RSV shot?
Camden has decided to give the Nirsevimab vaccine away for free to people 75 and older who live in the borough. This is great news for keeping older people in the community safe who are defenseless.
In Camden, people over the age of 75 can now get a vaccine against RSV:
- Make an appointment with your doctor. To book your RSV vaccination, call your doctor’s office or surgery. This is the best way to do it. The shot will be given to you at your neighborhood doctor’s office.
- Go to a drugstore that is taking part. There are also some shops in Camden that sell the vaccine. You can just walk in or make an appointment. Bring your ID and NHS number.
- Go to a community vaccine event. On certain dates and times, pop-up clinics will be set up all over the borough. To find out what’s going on, visit the council’s website.
- It may be possible to get vaccinated at home. Seniors who are unable to leave their homes can ask about having the vaccine given to them there. The council wants to help, but resources are limited.
I think you should move quickly to make an appointment because the new vaccine is still hard to come by. Bring your NHS card and another type of ID with you.
It doesn’t take long to give the shot. You will be watched for 15 to 30 minutes afterward in case you have any side effects, which are very unlikely to happen. That’s it. For the whole RSV season, you’ll have strong defense against it.
As a resident of Camden, I’m glad that this life-saving vaccine is offered in our town. All of my elderly patients and friends should take advantage of this chance. Hurry up and get your shot as soon as you can!
What’s Next for RSV Vaccinations
Nirsevimab’s acceptance is just the beginning of a process that will protect more people from RSV. Researchers are looking into whether the vaccine could be used on younger people with heart or lung problems who are also at risk for RSV.
Using the same technology as the very successful Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, an mRNA RSV vaccine is also being made. Over time, scientists hope that vaccines will make RSV much less common in people of all ages.
Right now, my main goal is to teach and vaccinate as many older people who are at risk as I can. My goal for this winter and beyond is to help keep more adults safe from RSV, which can be very dangerous.
Conclusion
To sum up, RSV is a dangerous lung virus for older people, but we now have a good way to change that. People over 75 in Camden who are most likely to get sick are getting the new Nirsevimab vaccine for free. I urge all senior citizens in the area to make an appointment right away for a vaccination at their doctor’s office, pharmacy, community center, or home visit. I hope you like reading “Free RSV Vaccine for Over-75s Now Available in Camden- Here’s How to Get It?’.
More older people will be able to enjoy their golden years in good health if they get vaccinated against diseases like RSV. As a healthcare worker who lives in Camden, I will do what I can to help our community benefit from this huge step forward in public health.
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.
