Written Statement: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme 2024 (17 July 2024)

Today, I am pleased to announce I have accepted the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and an RSV immunisation programme will start in Wales in September to protect infants and older adults: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-immunisation-programme-jcvi-advice-7-june-2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses causing coughs and colds in winter. Globally, RSV infects up to 90% of children within the first two years of life and frequently reinfects older children and adults. Babies under one and the elderly are at the greatest risk of being hospitalised.

The burden of RSV for both children and older adults in the UK is considered to exceed that of influenza. The introduction of a new vaccination programme to protect against RSV is something to be excited about. It will help protect the most vulnerable while also supporting the NHS during the winter.

I am announcing:

• A routine, year-round RSV vaccination offer for older adults as they turn 75, with a one-off campaign taking place over 12 months for individuals between 75 and 79; and
• A routine, year-round RSV maternal vaccination programme for all pregnant women, aimed at protecting their newborn babies, which will be offered from 28-weeks gestation.

Despite its severity and impact, RSV is a relatively unknown virus. A public awareness- raising campaign will be really important to support public understanding about the virus and to support informed decisions about having the new vaccination. Public Health Wales will be running this awareness raising campaign in the lead up to the launch of the programme in the autumn.

NHS Wales organisations have been engaged with Vaccination Programme Wales, in the NHS Executive, over many months to plan the new programmes. As ever, I am extremely grateful to the NHS and everyone involved in our vaccination programme for their continued hard work to help keep the most vulnerable in our communities safe and protected.

I urge all those eligible to come forward for vaccination when invited, to protect themselves, those close to them, and the NHS.