RSV vaccine

[Rosina1871]

I’ve just been offered a respiratory syncytial vaccine through my surgery. Not heard of it. Rolling it out initially for aged group 75 and 79. Anyone else heard of it?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Yes - this was posted about a month ago - would have expected HU to bring up related posts for you - but maybe not!

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

and another from a few months [US resident]-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks. Think I must have been living under a rock 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

Some rocks are very nice... 😊

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

🤣🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador]

This is my response to that previous post to save people looking it up

This explains RSV

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

and this

health.clevelandclinic.org/...

explains the background. I just asked my nurse daughter for a comment and her reply was "it is off the scale just now and it kills people" - the articles are relating to the USA but it is no different here,

You probably won't have heard of it before unless you have small people in the house but my great niece was in and out of the ED and hospital a few months ago with repeated bouts of it that made her very unwell. And the vaccine is really relatively new for adults, the approval for over 60s was granted by the FDA in May last year although it has been used for babies for much longer.

Between RSV and whooping cough, there is a serious problem in unvaccinated children and with RSV in older adults. The problem waned a bit during Covid but now almost no-one is taking any precautions, believing Covid to no longer be a problem which is totally false, it is surging again.

In the UK the government started a vaccine programme 3 days ago which is why you are hearing about it now.

[Hirondelle in reply to PMRpro]

Why is the RSV vaccine not offered to over 79 year olds?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hirondelle]

Because it is part of a national campaign and it is the way they do these things in the UK - based on assessments of cost effectiveness. At a guess, over 80s may not have been included in the age-related studies. Or they don't accrue enough QUALYS - because they won't live long enough anyway, I really am rather cynical about the NICE decisions and I think it is time they were challenged on the grounds of ageism.

As usual, you can elect to have it done privately and pay:

"Private vaccination

GPs are not permitted to offer RSV vaccination privately to individuals registered at their practice.

GPs, community pharmacists and all other providers of a private vaccination service must order RSV vaccine directly from the manufacturer. They cannot use stock centrally procured for the national programme.

Individuals who are not eligible to receive RSV vaccine as part of the national programme, but who wish to pay for the vaccine privately, should be advised to discuss their request with a private provider and be made aware that they will be liable for the full cost of the vaccine and any additional administration charges that the private provider may apply."

[Hirondelle in reply to PMRpro]

I agree about the ageism - no mammogram, no poo tests…I suppose they would like us to shuffle off our mortal coil as we are costing the NHS too much.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hirondelle]

Spot on! We baby boomers/pensioners are to blame for everything! Does it bother me- nah… born with broad shoulders for a good reason…🤣😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hirondelle]

I'm sure the non-actions during Covid were fuelled by that consideration. Was a certain politician not heard to say something to that effect?

[Bridge31]

Are most of us taking it ? I’m undecided.

[Rosina1871 in reply to Bridge31]

I will have the vaccine

[Sheilamac in reply to Rosina1871]

I had mine yesterday. I’m 79, just made it. My cousin who just turned 80 was not offered it! I know it’s early but no side effects yet. Not even a sore arm. I shouldn’t tempt fate….. I was also surprised to learn that that’s it, only one vaccination required ever. But of course I would be over the magic age of 80 then and wouldn’t need it…..

Don’t know if it’s relevant but I have been Prednisolone free since the end of 2021 after about 8 years of PMR, and the effects of suppressed adrenal glands. X

[Pixix]

There’s a lot of RSV in our local hospital…found out when visiting my husband for many days recently (complete with FFP2 mask to protect myself from RSV, Covid & C.Diff)! One ward (hubby’s) closed with C.Diff, Covid numbers so high they have to use normal wards, not just isolation, & RSV mentioned on the phone message when you ring up, as numbers are high.

[Poshcards]

Yes, my surgery is offering to 75 and over group. I did query if myself who is immuno supressed and asthmatic will get it too, I am 72 , and he looked it all up and said no x

[Grammy80]

Once again..just me with no medical background. I've had six vaccines and not a singe issue. However, my rheumatologist advised me against the RSV not since my pred intake has increased....hole off for now, he said. OK, I will, it makes sense to me. Howver if I was taking 15-10 mg....I probaly never would have asked. You will do the right thing with all the forum's input. Be well💞 and good luck.