Invitations are due to go out to hundreds of thousands of older people living in the South East of England, encouraging them to receive their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

The call to action comes as National Health Service chiefs warn that RSV is ‘not just a winter illness.’

Starting this week, invites will be sent to individuals aged 75-79 or those who turned 80 after 1 September 2024, urging them to book an appointment with their GP for vaccination.

RSV spreads all year round and affects the airways and lungs, and for older adults it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions.

On 1 September, the NHS started vaccinating people against RSV for the first time in its history, and staff across the region have been working hard since then to reach as many eligible people as possible. To date, over 278,000 eligible people have received the vaccine at their GP practice in the South East, putting the region among the highest uptakes in England. The region also has one of the highest uptakes for flu and covid vaccinations with over 3.2 million flu vaccinations and 1.8 million COVID jabs delivered this winter.

A study in the Lancet found the first season of vaccination could prevent up to 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses in older adults nation-wide.

Pregnant women are also eligible for the vaccine from 28 weeks onwards, as RSV is a leading cause of infant mortality, with nearly 150,000 women being vaccinated across England since September. Women can speak to their maternity service or GP practice.

Caroline Reid, NHS England’s regional director of commissioning in the South East, said: “RSV is not just a winter illness. While we see an increase in cases during the winter, it can occur year-round and can make older people seriously ill. That’s why it’s vital for everyone eligible to get vaccinated. We are working hard to reach anyone who hasn’t yet been jabbed and urging them to book an appointment.

She added: “Vaccines for RSV, COVID-19, and flu protect against different respiratory infections, so it’s important to receive each vaccine when offered. I encourage everyone we contact in the coming days, or anyone who has previously been invited but hasn’t yet taken up the offer, to get the RSV vaccine as soon as possible by contacting their GP. It could prevent severe illnesses like pneumonia and even save lives.”

More information on RSV symptoms and vaccination is available on the NHS website.