Thousands of Brits urged to ‘get vaccinated now' to protect against killer bug often mistaken for a cold
LIFE-SAVER Thousands of Brits urged to 'get vaccinated now' to protect against killer bug often mistaken for a cold
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THOUSANDS of Brits are being urged to take up a jab that protects against a sometimes deadly "cold-like" virus.
The vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is offered to pregnant mum's to protect unborn babies from the disease expected to surge in the coming months.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy
RSV is a common infection, which in the majority of people, just causes mild, flu-like symptoms, similar to the common cold.
It can, on occasion, lead to chest infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in newborns and the elderly.
Each year it kills around 8,000 people in the UK and hospitalises tens of thousands more.
Experts think the UK should brace for a surge this autumn, when the disease typically rears its head, following a record number of cases in Australia.
NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England.
And following a surge in cases number of RSV cases in Australia, officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025.
NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the RSV vaccine to protect their babies, as the virus is a leading cause of infant deaths and the top reason for hospital admissions in young children.
Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: "While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation.
"Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating."
Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery.
RSV vaccine
Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks.
Last week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine, which was first rolled out in summer 2024.
It said that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72 per cent of hospital admissions for their babies.
The antibodies the mums produce in response to the jab are passed to their babies in the womb, protecting them for the first six months after being born.
And the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, UKHSA said.
Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September – with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk.
It will protect them against RSV which is even more serious in high-risk infants.
Around 7,000 babies will be eligible and get about 80 per cent protection for six months from a single injection.
The previous weekly treatment was only 55 per cent effective.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
11 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Legionnaire's disease outbreak kills at least two and sickens dozens more after spreading at alarming rate across NYC
Health chiefs have revealed the steps Americans can take to reduce their risk of falling ill DEADLY DISEASE Legionnaire's disease outbreak kills at least two and sickens dozens more after spreading at alarming rate across NYC Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AT least two people have died and dozens left ill following a Legionnaires outbreak in an area of New York City. Health chiefs are probing the cluster of cases that have emerged. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 At least two people have died following a Legionnaires outbreak in New York City (stock) Credit: Alamy 2 Cases have been reported in zip code areas of Harlem Credit: Getty At least 58 cases have been reported in zip code areas of Harlem, New York City, according to the city's health agency. And, at least 22 people have fallen ill. The infections have been reported across five zip code areas and cases were first detected on July 25. Locals who fall ill from Legionnaires tend to have flu-like symptoms, but complications can prove fatal. The illness is caused by Legionella bacteria that grows in warm water. Health officials have stressed that Americans cannot contract Legionnaires by drinking water, and the illness is not contagious. Americans of the ages 50 and over are at risk of contracting the disease. Those who smoke and have weak immune systems are also at an increased risk of falling ill with Legionnaires. Other symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. Some Americans who are ill with Legionnaires may also have a fever, muscle aches and cough. Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection most commonly caused by breathing in water droplets containing Legionella germs Symptoms can be similar to Covid-19, but there is no vaccine or cure against Legionnaires disease. Dr Tony Eyssallenne, of the New York City Health Department, urged anyone with symptoms to get checked out. "If you're in those ZIP codes that have demonstrated exposure, then we want you to monitor your symptoms and get to a healthcare provider as soon as you can so you can get access to antibiotics, because it is treatable," he told the NBC affiliate WNBC-TV. Health chiefs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shared tips to stop Legionella spreading. Drivers should use genuine windshield cleaner fluid, instead of only filling tanks with water. Americans should also clean showerheads and replace water filters to prevent germs from forming. Homeowners should set water heaters to around 120F. Legionnaires cases in Harlem THERE has been an outbreak of Legionnaires cases reported in zip code areas of Harlem, New York City. So far, 58 cases have been reported according to the NYC Health Department. The affected districts are: 10027 10030 10035 10037 10039 Health chiefs have said temperatures of 130F to 140F can kill Legionella bacteria but there is an increased risk of burn injuries. Water heaters should be regularly flushed, according to the CDC. In cities such as New York City, building owners must register their cooling towers. These are inspected for Legionella bacteria.
The Independent
41 minutes ago
- The Independent
What is RSV? The main cause of hospital admissions for children
Health experts say the UK should brace for a surge in a potentially serious virus following a record number of cases in Australia. NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England. In Australia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have surged in recent months, and officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025. NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine, which protects against RSV, in order to protect their newborn babies. The virus is a leading cause of death among babies and the main cause of hospital admissions for children. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said that while for most adults, RSV 'only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children, it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation'. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery. Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab, and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks. Symptoms of an RSV infection NHS RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, but some people have a high risk of getting seriously ill from the virus, including babies and adults over the age of 75. In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. Last week, the UK Health Security Agency published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine. It said that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72 per cent of hospital admissions for their babies. And the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, UKHSA said.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: UK warning over rise in cases
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds, with most children getting an RSV infection at least once before they turn two years old. However, it can cause "serious breathing problems", and following a record number of RSV cases in Australia, the UK is being warned over a similar rise here. NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England. What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus? Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections are described as "very common" by the NHS , but can cause serious illness in the elderly and young children. Despite typically being unserious, some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from RSV. The virus is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis in babies, which can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital. There is a vaccine for RSV, which, as the NHS explains, is recommended if: You're pregnant (from 28 weeks of pregnancy) – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they're born You're aged 75 to 79 Last week, the UK Health Security Agency published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine. It was revealed that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72% of hospital admissions for their babies. Meanwhile, the UKHSA said the vaccine is 82% effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults. Symptoms of an RSV infection The NHS says symptoms of an RSV infection typically start within a few days of getting infected. Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as: a runny or blocked nose a cough sneezing tiredness a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills) It says that babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual. What is RSV? 💭 It's a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in the elderly & young children. If a woman has the vaccination during pregnancy, it cuts the risk of serious lung infection caused by #RSV in her baby's first 6 months Read more: — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) August 4, 2025 However, if the virus leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis), it may also cause: a cough that gets worse shortness of breath faster breathing or long gaps between breaths difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite noisy breathing (wheezing) confusion (in older adults) Warning to UK over rise in RSV cases Health experts have warned that the UK should brace for a surge in RSV following a record number of cases in Australia. Officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025, and NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine to protect newborn babies. It said that the virus is a leading cause of death among babies and the main cause of hospital admissions for children. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Recommended reading: Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery. Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab. NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks.
