Coronavirus, Flu and RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) updates

RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) Winter 2024 Updates

We are hoping to hold a Saturday RSV Vaccination clinic in SEPTEMBER for those patients eligible for the Free NHS RSV Vaccinations (see below).

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses to affect your respiratory (breathing) system. It’s highly infectious. In most people, it will only cause a mild illness. Common symptoms include:

  • a runny nose
  • decrease in appetite
  • a cough
  • fever

Most people recover after 2 to 3 weeks of illness. In some people, RSV can cause severe illness like bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia. These can mean a stay in hospital.

Older adults may be more at risk of serious illness due to RSV infection.

The RSV vaccine is a quick and easy way to protect yourself against RSV illness.

Who can get the RSV vaccine

Older Adults

If you’re turning 75 years old between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, you’ll be offered the RSV vaccine. This includes if your 75th birthday is on 1 August 2024 or 31 July 2025.

The vaccine will also be offered to anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years on 1 August 2024. This means you can get the vaccine if your date of birth is between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950. This is because the RSV vaccine is new to Scotland, and this group could not be given the vaccine before now.

In future years, the vaccine will only be offered to those turning 75 years old between 1 August and 31 July.

Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by the most common types of RSV.

Pregnent Patients

Common symptoms in babies include:

  • a runny nose
  • decrease in appetite
  • a cough
  • a fever
  • ear infections

Most babies recover after 2 to 3 weeks of illness. In some cases, RSV can cause severe illness leading to complications and time in hospital.

Those who are at highest risk of severe illness from RSV infection include:

  • premature babies
  • newborn babies (particularly in the first 6 months)
  • children under 2 years with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system

RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection that causes the small airways in the lungs to get infected and inflamed.

Bronchiolitis is a common reason for babies to be admitted to hospital. If a child has RSV bronchiolitis in their early life, it may increase the chance of them developing asthma when they’re older.

Who can get the RSV vaccine

You’ll be offered the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

When you get the RSV vaccine, your body makes antibodies. These are what your body uses to fight RSV infection. These antibodies will transfer from you to your unborn baby through the placenta. This means that your baby will have some protection from RSV as soon as they’re born.

 

More information on the RSV Vacciantion is available HERE

Influenza (Flu) Winter 2024 updates

We will be holding two Saturday Flu Vaccination clinics in OCTOBER for those patients eligible from the Free NHS Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccinations. Childrens Flu Vaccination Cllinics will be arranged within our normal working hours.

We will be sending invitations out to those patients that are eligible. If a suitable mobile phone contact number is not available we will send a paper invite to your registered address.

Where possible we are hoping to offer Covid vaccination boosters at the same time for the patients that qualify for both. This is dependant on vaccination stock availability. 

Eligible groups for the 2024/25 Influenza Vaccinations with us:

From 1 September 2024:

  • pregnant patients
  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024

From October 2024, exact start date to be confirmed by NHS England in due course:

  • those aged 65 years and over
  • those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza Chapter 19)
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

COVID-19 Autumn 2024 Booster updates

The following people are eligible for an Autumn 2024 Covid booster with us:

  • Adults aged 75 years and over.
  • Residents in a care home for older adults.
  • Individuals aged 16 and over who have a weakened immune system.

Please feel free to contact Reception after 12pm on 0114 2550094, for more information 

 

Kind regards

The Hollies Team