Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine - RSV vaccine for older adults

Before the RSV vaccine programme started, RSV was thought to cause around 400 to 600 deaths each year in Wales in people aged 75 or over.

In September 2023, vaccine experts gave their advice on RSV vaccination. They said there should be an RSV vaccination programme to help protect older adults.

There is also an RSV vaccination programme for pregnant women to help protect babies against serious RSV illness.

You can get the vaccine to help protect against RSV.

You can also protect yourself and others by:

• covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• throwing tissues in the bin as soon as possible
• regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water, and
• keeping your environment (for example, hard surfaces) clean.

You will be offered the RSV vaccine if:

• • you are aged 75 or over, or

• • you live in a care home for older adults (whatever your age)

If you are 74 and do not live in a care home, you will be offered the vaccine from your 75th birthday.  

No. Vaccine trials show the vaccine gives good protection for at least two years and is likely to last longer.

Other routine vaccines available for older adults include:

• • influenza (flu) 

• • pneumococcal, and

• • shingles.

For more information, visit the immunisation and vaccine page.

You can also see the complete routine immunisation schedules for Wales.

The NHS will let you know when and where to get the vaccine. If you think you might have missed the invitation, speak to your GP surgery.

You can have the RSV vaccine at any time of the year. It is an injection given in the upper arm.

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and may last a day or two.

For older adults, the most common side effects include:   

• • pain, swelling and redness in the arm where the injection was given

• • headache

• • tiredness

• • muscle or joint pain

Rare or very rare side effects from the vaccine include: 

• • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a nerve condition that can cause muscle weakness, and

• • allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, hives (a raised, itchy rash), difficulty swallowing and feeling dizzy.

GBS is a rare but serious condition. There are thought to be around 10 to 25 cases of GBS for every million doses of the vaccine given to older adults. GBS can also happen after some common infections. This includes flu, tummy bugs, and in rare cases after other vaccines.

For older adults, the benefits of being vaccinated against RSV are greater than the small risk of developing GBS.

If you notice tingling, numbness, weakness, sharp pain or pins and needles in your hands, feet, arms or legs after the vaccine, get medical attention straight away. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 Wales.

Rarely, people can have a severe reaction soon after the vaccination. This causes breathing difficulties and may cause them to collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and it can also happen with other medicines and food. These reactions are extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million people. Staff who give vaccinations are trained to manage these reactions.

People who have an anaphylactic reaction can be successfully treated and usually recover within a few hours.

To find out more about the side effects of the vaccine, read the patient information leaflet online:

• • Abrysvo

If you have any questions about side effects, you can ask the person giving you the vaccine.

If the side effects last for more than a few days, you should talk to your healthcare professional or contact NHS 111 Wales by calling 111.

You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines online at Yellow Card, by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling  0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

A black triangle symbol on a vaccine or medicine means that it is being closely monitored for any side effects. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. 

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent severe illness from RSV. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of RSV, even if you are vaccinated.

For more information about the symptoms of respiratory tract infections, visit the NHS 111 Wales website.

There are very few people who cannot have the RSV vaccine.

The vaccine should not be given to anyone who has had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to:

• a previous dose of the vaccine, or
• any ingredient in the vaccine.

Make sure you tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients in the past.

A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay your vaccine.   

If you are unwell, it is better to wait until you have recovered to have the vaccine, but you should try to have it as soon as possible. If you cannot attend your vaccination appointment, please cancel and rearrange the appointment. If in doubt, discuss this with the person giving you your vaccination.