RSV Vaccine

From the month of September 2024, islanders aged 75 or older and pregnant women are being offered the RSV vaccine for free.

RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. The infection can cause symptoms similar to a cold, including cough, sore throat, sneezing and runny or blocked nose. It can also make you wheezy or short of breath and could lead to pneumonia. There is no specific treatment and most will recover by themselves. However, many older adults may require hospital care and the infection can be severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, or a weakened immune system. It’s common in young children but most serious for small babies and older people.

Like most vaccines, whilst it may not stop you getting RSV, it will reduce the symptoms and effect and will protect for at least 2 years, possibly longer.

To book your free vaccine, contact your doctors surgery. Please note your GP may charge an admin fee.

Fore more information on RSV, visit gov.je/RSV