Health experts urge Welsh public to get RSV vaccine to keep thousands out of hospital
Officials are urging eligible pregnant women and older adults in Wales to get vaccinated against RSV to help prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on hospitals this winter
People eligible for the RSV vaccine in Wales are being urged to come forward as health officials warn the virus can cause serious illness during the winter months.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common infection that can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The vaccine is offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks to help protect their babies, adults aged 75 and over, and higher-risk people aged 65 to 74.
Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health Nerys Evans said RSV could be “a particularly serious condition for babies and small children and for older people”.
She urged eligible people to check their vaccination status, adding: “We'd urge people if they're unsure about what they're eligible for to contact their GP to make sure that they are protected.”
The vaccination programme is also intended to reduce pressure on health services, with RSV infections in children under two estimated to cause up to 2,600 hospital admissions and 9,500 GP appointments annually.
Chris Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “Nobody wants to go to hospital and nobody wants to see their loved ones in hospital struggling to breathe.”
He added that vaccination during pregnancy helps protect babies from birth, while a single dose is offered to adults aged 75 and over.
Ms Evans said the government was working to improve uptake across Wales, particularly in communities where vaccination rates are lower.
She added that ensuring everyone had “equal access, equal protection” was a key priority.
Older adults generally need one RSV vaccine, while pregnant women are advised to receive it during every pregnancy.