Last month, it was announced that the UK will become the first country in the world to offer a national vaccine programme that uses the same vaccine to protect adults and children from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
RSV cases typically increase during the winter as immune systems weaken and viruses spread more easily.
While most cases only experience mild symptoms, RSV can be fatal for infants, older people, and those with chronic medical conditions, so it’s important that immunocompromised people protect themselves and ease pressures on the NHS.
However, like with most vaccines – the RSV jab can cause some side effects.
In aid of Immunisation Awareness Month and ahead of the vaccine rollout, Kiran Jones, Clinical Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, shares what you should know about the RSV vaccine, the side effects you may experience and tips for managing them.
What to know about the RSV vaccine
RSV is a respiratory virus that can cause mild cold symptoms and can be more harmful to infants and older adults with more vulnerable immune systems.
Mild symptoms include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, a fever, wheezing, and a decrease in appetite, while more severe symptoms include bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and long-term respiratory illness.
The vaccine was first approved in 2023, designed for those over 60 who are most vulnerable to severe RSV illness and is administered in a single dose.
The rollout will start in August for Scotland and September for Wales and Northern Ireland.
Those eligible for it include pregnant women past 28 weeks and pensioners aged 75-79. The scheme is expected to be expanded to others eventually.
Common side effects
Irritation around the injection site, which will most likely be the upper arm, is common after receiving an RSV vaccine. You may feel mild to moderate pain or tenderness, which should subside within a few days, and also experience swelling or redness.
Systemic side effects can include fever as the body’s immune system response is activated, fatigue, headaches and muscle pain.
Some less common side effects can be an allergic reaction that may trigger hives, itching, swelling and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Fainting can also occur after a vaccination, as over 60 percent of people experience dizziness, vertigo, nausea, or feeling faint post-jab.
How to manage symptoms
To minimise discomfort or feeling unwell after receiving the RSV vaccine, get enough rest and stay hydrated to help your body recover.
Drink at least two litres of water and eat a balanced variety of foods, including protein, fruits and vegetables and wholegrains.
If you feel nauseous after the jab, stick to more bland foods in smaller quantities like toast, plain rice and potatoes.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen and Paracetamol to reduce pain, swelling or fever. Applying a cold compress to the injection site can also reduce any swelling.
Monitor any side effects, as any lasting longer than two to three days should be highlighted to a medical professional, as it could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
