RSV vaccine
The RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself or your baby from catching RSV.
The RSV vaccine is available for free on the NHS.
You can get the vaccine if:
- you're aged 75 to 79
- you're 28 or more weeks pregnant. This will help to protect your baby for the first few months after they're born.
Common questions about the RSV vaccine
You should get the RSV vaccine as soon as you’re offered it:
- If you’re pregnant, you should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28 week antenatal appointment. Getting the vaccine around week 28 of your pregnancy will help you build up antibodies. You will pass these antibodies to your baby before you give birth and give your baby the best protection.
- If you’re an older adult you’ll be offered the vaccine as soon as you turn 75, but you can get your vaccine until the day before your 80th birthday. It’s best to get your vaccine as soon as you’re offered it to give you the best protection.
The RSV vaccine is safe and effective. You might get mild side effects, such as:
- soreness, redness or swelling where you had your injection
- muscle ache
- a headache.
It’s safer to get your RSV vaccine than to risk getting a serious RSV infection.
If you’re aged 75 to 79 years old, you’ll be invited to get your RSV vaccine at your GP surgery.
If you’re pregnant, you should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28 week antenatal appointment. If you are not invited for your RSV vaccine, you can speak to your maternity service or GP practice.
The RSV vaccine is new and you can only get it if you’re:
- aged 75 to 79
- 28 or more weeks pregnant.
It is not clear if the NHS will vaccinate other groups of vulnerable people, including people with lung conditions. We support further research in this area to make sure that everyone who would benefit from a vaccination is able to have one.
The RSV vaccine is one single injection in your upper arm.
If you’re an older adult, you do not need to get the RSV vaccine every year like other vaccines. One dose will protect you.
If you’re pregnant, you should get the RSV vaccine in every pregnancy to give your baby the best protection.
It’s safe to have the RSV vaccine while you’re pregnant. It has been tested on thousands of pregnant women around the world.
If you’re an older adult, you’re unlikely to be offered the RSV vaccine at the same time as your flu or COVID-19 vaccine. This is because there is some evidence that this can make vaccines less effective.
If you’re pregnant, it’s safe to have your RSV vaccine at the same time as your flu or COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes, it’s safe to have the RSV vaccine at the same time as the shingles or pneumococcal vaccine.
The RSV vaccine does not stop you from getting RSV but it can reduce your risk of getting seriously ill.
Your baby could still get RSV even if you have had the vaccine, but the RSV vaccine can reduce the chance of your baby getting seriously ill from RSV.
Almost everybody can have the RSV vaccine. Speak to a doctor or nurse if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine, or any of the ingredients in the RSV vaccine.
You can still get the RSV vaccine if you have a cold. If you have a fever, the doctor or nurse giving you your vaccine might advise you to wait until you’re better.
The RSV vaccine does not contain any animal products.
The vaccine has also been certified Halal by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).
More information about the RSV vaccine
The government have more information about RSV vaccines to protect babies and RSV vaccines to protect older adults.
The NHS has information about RSV vaccination in easy read, audio, British Sign Language (BSL) and 31 different languages.
Good hygiene
RSV is highly infectious and is spread through the coughs or sneezes of someone with the virus. You can reduce the risk of catching or spreading RSV by:
- Washing your hands and your child’s regularly
- Covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Try to use disposable tissues and throw them in the bin as soon as you or your child have used them. You can also cough and sneeze into the bend of your elbow.
- Cleaning surfaces in your home and your child’s toys regularly.
- Avoiding sharing cutlery and cups with other people.
- Keeping newborn babies away from anybody with cold or flu symptoms, especially if they are more likely to get seriously ill from RSV.
It’s difficult to avoid RSV, but these simple actions can help avoid spreading it. Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.