Vaccine to tackle bronchiolitis-causing winter cough virus could be offered to children and the elderly on the NHS next year
- Children and the elderly are offered a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
A vaccine chief has revealed that children and older adults will receive a jab within a year to protect against one of the most common winter viruses.
The government’s vaccination advisory group recommended in June that an immunization program be rolled out against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – best known for causing the lung infection bronchiolitis in children.
Three highly effective RSV vaccines have been given the green light for use in Britain, including one developed by drugmaker Pfizer and approved last week by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
But according to Professor Adam Finn, an expert on childhood vaccines and member of the government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), the rollout will not start until next year due to delays by health officials in working out a deal with the vaccine manufacturers .
Professor Finn said: ‘We have gone from no RSV vaccine to some very effective options in just a few years.
Children and vulnerable adults could soon receive a breakthrough vaccine to protect them against one of the most common winter bugs (stock photo)
RSV – respiratory syncytial virus – is a leading cause of lung infections in children and can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis
‘Officials now have to decide which jabs they will use and then negotiate a price.
‘Then the pharmaceutical companies must produce the vaccines and send them to Britain.
‘Unfortunately, this process will not be completed in time for winter. But given the clear need for this vaccine, I am hopeful that patients will be offered a jab next year.”
The charity Asthma + Lung UK last week called on the government to administer the shots ‘as quickly as possible’ after the number of children admitted to hospital with the bug quadrupled in just a month.
RSV hospitalizes around 30,000 children and 18,000 adults every year – but until recently no valid vaccine had been developed.
Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, says that while many children do not become seriously ill from RSV, it can be dangerous for others.
“Like most other colds and viruses, RSV starts with a stuffy or runny nose and can progress to coughing, fever and sometimes difficulty breathing,” she says.
‘Most children clear up within a few days and can be cared for at home.
‘However, some young people do develop more severe symptoms and eventually bronchiolitis.’