Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
An enveloped RNA virus, in the same
family as the human parainfluenza viruses and mumps and measles viruses. RSV is
one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. RSV is
transmitted by large droplets and by secretions from contact with an infected
person.

Infants under one year of age and the
elderly are at the greatest risk of developing severe disease. While most RSV
infections usually cause mild illness, infants aged less than 6 months
frequently develop the most severe disease such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia,
which may result in hospitalisation.

Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old
All adults turning 75 years old on or after
1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and should be
offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. A one-off catch-up campaign for those
already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the
earliest opportunity.

Programme for pregnant women to protect infants
All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant
(the eligible cohort) on 1 September 2024, will be offered a single dose of the
RSV vaccine. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28
weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.