You should book a free Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine if you have not done so already. This is because you are aged 75 or over, or you live in a care home for older adults.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that affects the airways and lungs, which can make it difficult to breathe. Older adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from RSV infection.

How to get your RSV vaccine

Contact your GP surgery to make an appointment.  If they cannot book you in now, please ask when they will have more RSV appointments.

Some community pharmacies offer RSV vaccinations. You can check for pharmacy appointments in your local area at www.nhs.uk/find-rsv. 

Why the NHS is offering the RSV vaccine

RSV infections occur all year round and can be hard to avoid. 

Every year, thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV infection can cause shortness of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.

Having the RSV vaccine will reduce your risk of severe symptoms. You only need 1 dose for good, long-term protection.

More information

You can read more at www.nhs.uk/rsv-vaccine. For a guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults, go to www.gov.uk/rsv-vaccine.

For information in easy read and other languages and formats, go to www.england.nhs.uk/rsv-invites.

This information is from the NHS England Vaccination Team. 
 
Data Protection: NHS England is responsible for processing your personal data. This is for the purpose of national vaccination programmes. To find out more, you can access our privacy notice at: www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/privacy-notice.