RSV vaccination

[EmilyLondon]

UK. Talking to our GP nurse yesterday she told me that they have just begun training for a programme of vaccination against RSV. Respiratory Syncytial Virus. We should expect to be called for vaccination this autumn. Please say yes if you are likely to mount an immune response. Please shout loudly if you are not called.

This is a very common virus. 40% of babies have had it by their 1st birthday.

As someone who had spent 6 months of the previous year with prolonged chest infections, I got the RSV vaccination privately last autumn. The vaccination itself made me feel a little rough. But I speak as a satisfied customer. I have had my best year for infections in a decade. This seems to have made a really big difference to frequency and complexity of chest and bronchial infection.

[mrsjsmith]

Thank you for the heads up. Before getting IVIG I also spent miserable hours suffering with various upper respiratory infections.

Colette

[annmcgowan]

Thanks for the heads up Emily. I was aware of the vaccine but not when it would be available in the U.K.

Ann

[Dyzzie22]

Hi my understanding from the Gov website is that this vaccine is for over 75’s and pregnant women 😟. I hope I’m wrong as I too have had multiple chest infections and am currently taking profelactic anti-biotic. I would be interested in getting this vaccine privately, anyone know of reliable provider for this please?

[CguLLer in reply to Dyzzie22]

Yes it does seem to only be for 75 to 79 year olds and pregnant women. Disappointingly, unlike the flu and Covid vaccines there is no mention of any other vulnerable categories, such as the immunosuppressed, being eligible.

[EmilyLondon in reply to Dyzzie22]

I will be asking my consultant whether she can recommend a booster. So aim first for the NHS. Lots of us have vaccinations on the NHS which we would not get if we did not have CLL. For instance Shingrix and the pneumonia vaccinations. I do not know how widely available it is privately. I found a pharmacy in London that was taking the initiative. Hampstead Heath pharmacy.

[Dyzzie22 in reply to EmilyLondon]

Thank you, yes I have emailed my clinical nurse specialist to ask the question. I would go down the private route if necessary, but I am a little wary as I am sure I was ripped off over the Shingrix vaccine I had a couple of years ago.

[EmilyLondon in reply to Dyzzie22]

I paid £230 last year for the RSV vaccination. I will definitely trying to get my next one on the NHS.

[RosettaClapp]

That's some good news.. Thank you

[Bikram21]

I (64)had the RSV vaccine last year and had no reaction.

[EmilyLondon]

That's good to hear.

[mrsjsmith]

Quick update,

Emily, Jennie Harries ( U.K. health agency )was on the BBC News this morning talking about the RSA vaccine and apart from having early in each pregnancy the 75-79 group she suggested every 2 years, which is quite a narrow window.

Colette

[EmilyLondon]

Yes I had heard that immunity lasted 18 months to two years. Mutation seems to be slightly less rapid than the flu virus