Experts call for major change to winter vaccine rollout for babies and elderly to tackle killer bug
BRITAIN needs a new winter vaccine rollout to tackle coughing bug RSV, jab advisers say.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said respiratory syncytial virus has a “considerable impact” on the NHS every year.
It causes mild coughs and colds in most people but can be deadly for babies and elderly people.
Experts on the JCVI said ministers should consider a national programme to vaccinate newborns and over-75s to take pressure off the NHS.
Oxford University vaccine experts estimate RSV causes 625,000 GP appointments and 43,000 hospital admissions in an average year.
And it kills around 8,000 elderly people annually.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, chair of the JCVI, said: “The JCVI recognises that there is a significant burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness in the UK population, which has a considerable impact on the NHS during winter.
“The committee has issued a short statement advising that a RSV immunisation programme, that is cost effective, should be developed for both infants and older adults.”
Vaccines have been newly developed that can offer long-term protection against the bug, with one approved by UK regulators last year.
The JCVI suggested a roll-out to all over-75s and then every Brit be offered a jab when they turn 75.
It said ministers should consider a seasonal or year-round offer for pregnant mums and babies.
It comes as figures show last winter had the deadliest flu season for five years.
The UK Health Security Agency found there were 14,623 flu-associated deaths in England, the highest since the 22,419 in 2017/18.
Experts said the virus was squashed by Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021 but rebounded last year.
A further 5,500 deaths were linked to cold weather – the highest level for a decade.
Dr Conall Watson, from the UKHSA, said: “Lower population immunity following flu’s absence played a part in the season starting relatively early and led to lots of people catching flu in a short time-frame.
“Many people needed advice from NHS 111 services and there were high numbers of severe flu episodes that required hospital care, placing pressure on the health system.
“We have clear evidence that the protection from last season’s vaccine programme helped prevent a much worse winter.
“We advise all those eligible to take up the offer of vaccination this autumn.”