RSV vaccine now available at selected pharmacies.
The NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside is now offering the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) at selected local pharmacies in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral, making it easier than ever for eligible people to protect themselves against serious respiratory illness.
RSV is a common virus that causes coughs and colds. While it usually gets better on its own, it can cause life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia (a lung infection) and bronchiolitis (a chest infection), particularly in older adults and babies.
Every year, thousands of older adults and babies are hospitalised for RSV, which is why the NHS is encouraging eligible people to speak to their local pharmacy team about the vaccine.
You can get a free RSV vaccination on the NHS if:
- you're 28 weeks pregnant or more
- you're aged 75 to 79 years old
- you turned 80 years old after 1 September 2024
The RSV vaccine offer is part of a phased national rollout across community pharmacies in England, following a successful rollout in GP practices last year.
“Making the RSV vaccine available in community pharmacies is a vital step in improving access to preventive care for those who need it most. Pharmacies are trusted, convenient spaces where people can receive expert health advice and treatment without needing an appointment.
“RSV can cause serious breathing problems in the most vulnerable people in our population and can be life-threatening in some cases. That’s why we’re urging those eligible for the RSV vaccine to come forward as soon as possible to ensure they are protected.” Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
Eligible people can book an appointment online to get the RSV vaccination at a pharmacy that offers it on the NHS website. You can also use the service above to search for pharmacies offering the RSV vaccinations on a walk-in basis without the need for an appointment.
More pharmacies will be offering the RSV vaccination soon. If you cannot find a pharmacy offering the RSV vaccine near you, please contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment.
You can find out more about the RSV vaccine at www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine
