Islanders urged to have respiratory virus vaccine

The States said cases of RSV occur any time of the year but they peak in winter

Pregnant women and older people across the Bailiwick are being invited to have a respiratory virus vaccination.

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is being offered to women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant and to adults aged 75 or older.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause lung infections which can be more serious for newborn babies and older adults, the States of Guernsey said.

The vaccine will be supplied free of charge but there may be a charge for the nurse appointment which is covered for people that have free Primary Care appointments and for women who are vaccinated through Maternity Services, the States added.

The States encouraged all those eligible to take up the vaccine, saying "it is the best way to provide protection to those most at risk of serious RSV illness".

For small babies, the virus can lead to a lung infection called bronchiolitis, a condition which can make it harder for them to breathe and to feed.

For older adults, RSV can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.

This is the first year of the RSV vaccine programme so the States is running a one-off catch-up campaign for islanders already aged 75 to 79 years.

The States said eligible older adults would receive a letter inviting them to receive the vaccine while pregnant women would be invited by their midwife.