RSV causes between 400-600 deaths in older adults and over 1,000 hospital admissions in young babies in Wales every year. The new RSV vaccination programme will provide protection against the most common childhood respiratory infection for the first time in Wales. 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a contagious virus that circulates in autumn and early winter, infecting most children within the first two years of their life and frequently re-infecting older children and adults. 

While a common virus, Public Health Wales’ recent Time to Talk Public Health survey* of over 1,000 adults in Wales found that nearly 60 per cent said they had not heard of RSV, meaning that the majority of people are not aware of the risk posed to babies and older adults.

For most people, RSV infection causes a mild lower respiratory illness with cold-like symptoms, but babies under one year and the elderly are at greatest risk of a more severe infection which could lead to hospitalisation. Evidence shows us that the vaccine is safe and offers excellent protection, easing pressure on the NHS Wales primary care services during the busy winter months. 

The programme is for adults turning 75 and for mothers-to-be in pregnancy from 28 weeks to term. All those eligible will receive an invite directly, or signposted by their midwife during antenatal clinics, from today onwards.