SIXTY COMMUNITY PHARMACIES across Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and South Cumbia have been selected to begin offering the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine as part of a phased national rollout across community pharmacies in England.

Every year, thousands of older adults and babies are hospitalised for RSV. The RSV vaccine, which helps protect against serious lung infection, is now available in selected community pharmacies following the successful rollout in general practice last year.

The NHS is encouraging eligible people to speak with their local pharmacy about the vaccine, as part of a drive to make the vaccination more accessible and convenient for those at risk. Those eligible include adults aged 75-79 and pregnant women to help protect their babies against RSV.

So far, over 240,000 doses of RSV have been given to eligible people across the region.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director for Commissioning and senior responsible officer for the vaccination programme for NHS England in the North West, said:

“Offering the RSV vaccine in pharmacies is another important step in making healthcare easier to access for the people who need it the most.

“Community pharmacies offer trusted local health advice, guidance and treatment, and this expansion will help protect more people from serious illness.

In addition, it further reinforces the commitment in the recently published 10-year health plan to bring care closer to home and to prevent illness before it starts.”

RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, with most people getting it several times during their life. It usually improves on its own, but in some individuals, especially babies and older adults, it can lead to illnesses such as pneumonia (a lung infection) and bronchiolitis (a chest infection), which primarily affect babies.

These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems. They may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening. Getting RSV can also make your symptoms worse for people with a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Bruce Prentice, Regional Pharmacy Professional Advisor for NHS England in the North West said:

“Community pharmacists are perfectly placed to provide convenient, expert care on the high street. More and more people trust us not only for prescriptions, but also for advice, treatment, and vital preventive services.

“Offering the RSV vaccine in our pharmacies means patients can easily protect themselves and their loved ones without needing to book ahead or wait for a GP appointment.

“Each conversation is an opportunity to offer reassurance, spot potential concerns early, and guide people toward services that could make all the difference to their health.

With a private consultation room and walk-in availability, we’re ready to help when our patients need us, often on the same day.”

You can find out more about the vaccine at www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine.