Author: Jade Quartermaine
- The UK is the first country in the world to offer a national vaccination programme that uses the same vaccine to protect both infants and older adults from RSV
- The vaccine will protect infants and older adults, easing winter pressures on the NHS
- Eligible people urged to take up offer when rollout begins in September
The UK will become the first country in the world to have a national programme that uses the same vaccine to protect both newborns and older adults against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
The rollout, which will start from 1 September in England, includes both a vaccine for pregnant women over 28 weeks to help protect their newborn babies, a routine programme for those over 75, and a one-off campaign for people aged 75 to 79. These are the groups at the greatest risk from RSV, based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Despite infecting around 90% of children within the first two years of life, RSV is relatively unknown among the public. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis and is a leading cause of infant mortality globally.
Each year in the UK, RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations in children aged under five and is responsible for 20 to 30 infant deaths. Up to 50% of hospital admissions for children under one year old relate to RSV.
It also causes around 9,000 hospital admissions in those aged over 75. The RSV programme could free up thousands of hospital bed days and help to avoid hundreds of deaths each year.
More than 75,000 people in Devon will be eligible for the vaccine when it becomes available.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said:
“As someone who has seen the devastating effects of RSV firsthand, I am thrilled to see the UK leading in the way in tackling this devastating disease.
“My own grandson contracted RSV when he was just days old, leading to weeks in intensive care, and a lifelong impact on his health. I don’t want anyone to go through what he went through.
“Not only will this vaccine save lives and protect the most vulnerable, it will help ease pressure on our broken NHS, freeing up thousands of hospital beds as we head into winter.”
People aged 75-79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be invited to receive their RSV vaccination with their GP, and those turning 75 after this date will also receive an invitation from their GP once eligible.
Women that are at least 28 weeks pregnant will be contacted by their maternity service or GP surgery to get the vaccine to protect their baby from September.
These vaccination programmes will save lives and significantly reduce the burden on the NHS during the challenging winter months.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said:
“RSV is a very serious illness, infecting up to 90% of children by the age of two and causing thousands of babies and older people to spend time in hospital over winter – so this rollout is a huge step forward and will undoubtedly save the lives of many of those most at risk.
“We strongly encourage those aged 75 to 79 to come forward for their vaccine when they are invited from September and for women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant to speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to ensure their baby is protected.”
Dr Alex Degan, a GP and Primary care medical director for NHS Devon, said:
“This new vaccine offers huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV, helping to protect lives and ease winter pressures for the NHS.
“We are working local healthcare teams, including GPs and midwives, and Local Authority colleagues to be ready to provide vaccinations from September.
“You will be contacted about local arrangements, please do come forward if you are eligible. Look out for information from your GP regarding where and when you can get your RSV vaccination. The vaccination will be available throughout the year, but we strongly encourage people to come forward in September to ensure they have protection in time for winter when spread of the virus is at its peak.”
The vaccine has been developed and produced by Pfizer. The programme follows the advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published in September 2023.
With just days left of this year’s spring covid vaccine programme, the NHS is urging anyone eligible to get their jab by this Sunday [30th June 2024].
More than four million people have now received their spring booster jab since the campaign began in April.
The NHS has made it easier than ever before for people to book their vaccination with the rollout of joint booking. By going online and selecting a joint booking, two eligible people aged 18 and over can get the COVID-19 vaccine in the same location at the same time.
Anyone currently aged 75 and over, or who will be aged 75 by this Sunday (30 June 2024), is able to get the covid-19 vaccine, along with older adult care home residents and people with a weakened immune system aged six months and over.
For the next four days, there are thousands of appointments available across the country, including at pharmacies and GP practices. Some areas also offer convenient walk-in options, with a full list of walk-in sites available online.
Since the spring covid vaccine campaign launched on 15 April, around two-thirds of care home residents have received their protection.
Covid-19 can still cause severe illness and hospitalisations in some cases, particularly among those most at risk. The vaccine gives the best protection against the virus and its different variants and helps reduce the risk of serious illness.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “It is fantastic that since April four million people have received their covid spring booster, but there are still thousands more appointments available over the next few days for eligible people to get their all-important protection against COVID-19.
“The JCVI recommends the vaccination for those who are most at-risk including people aged over 75 or those with compromised immune systems – for these people COVID-19 can still have severe consequences, and even if you’ve been vaccinated before, protection does fade over time, so it is important to come forward if you’re eligible.
“It’s now easier than ever to get protected, and with joint booking, you and a loved one can come forward at the same time, you can also book online, download the NHS App or call 119. Some areas also offer convenient walk-in options, with a full list of walk-in sites which are also available online.”
Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.
The offer of two COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged five on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after 30 June, following advice from the JCVI.
A summary of the health conditions, treatments and medications that can cause a weakened immune system is available on the NHS.UK website, and a full definition of immunosuppression can be found in Chapter 14a (table 3) of the Green Book.
Junior doctors in Devon will be undertaking industrial action from 7am on Thursday 27 June until 7am on Tuesday 2 July 2024.
Advice for patients and the public during the strike period is available on the NHS Devon website: Health Pressures – One Devon
Local people are being encouraged to use services wisely over the five days of industrial action to help the NHS cope with the challenging period ahead. There is also currently a yellow heat health alert issued for the south west in the days leading up to the strikes.
Dr Nigel Acheson, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon, said: “We’re asking people to look after themselves and loved ones in the warm weather leading up to the strike and use the most appropriate service for their need during the industrial action. The NHS in Devon will still be here for those who need us and people suffering a life-threatening emergency should not hesitate to contact 999 or attend one of our emergency departments.
“However, I ask everyone else to carefully consider which service could help them best during the strike periods. 111 online is available for advice and your own GP or local pharmacy will be able to provide a range of other care.”
The message from the NHS in Devon is that urgent and emergency care will be there for you, but please choose the right service for your needs. The advice for patients is to:
- Continue to call 999 in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk
- Go to NHS 111 online if you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital; you can also phone 111
- Please check local hospital trust websites for information on Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres. Further information can be found here: Health Pressures – One Devon
- Anyone with a hospital appointment should continue to attend as planned, unless they’ve been contacted to rearrange
- If you, or someone you know, experiences a mental health crisis you can access support from 111.
- Play your part by taking simple steps during the industrial action to look after yourselves and loved ones, checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours. A first step is making sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked
- Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications. Details about pharmacies can be found via the interactive map here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/pharm-info/pharmacy-opening-hours/
The yellow heat warning is currently issued for the south west between 24 and 27 June. Warm spells can pose health risks for some people. There is lots of information online to help people stay safe during hot weather. Visit the UKHSA and NHS websites including their pages on how to beat the heat and on heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Over four million people have now received their spring covid booster from the NHS just ten weeks after bookings officially opened as part of the latest vaccination campaign.
Around seven million people are eligible for a spring covid jab this year, including those aged 75 and over, those with a weakened immune system and older adult care home residents, and the latest stats published today show 4,042,920 vaccines have been delivered by the NHS.
The vaccine offer formally opened to everyone outside of a care home on 22 April, but NHS staff have been going into older adult care homes since 15 April, with nearly two thirds of care home residents having received their protection.
With just one week left of this year’s spring covid vaccine programme, the NHS is urging all eligible people who haven’t yet had their top-up to come forward and get protected before 30 June 2024.
Dr Alex Degan, a GP in Devon and primary care medical director at NHS Devon, said: “It is fantastic that ten weeks since the launch of the spring covid vaccination campaign, so many vulnerable people have already come forward to receive their vital protection, with NHS staff also having vaccinated nearly two thirds of care home residents.
“Covid-19 can still be dangerous for those most vulnerable, so it is vital people come forward for a top up jab if eligible – the NHS is making it easier than ever to get vaccinated with the new joint booking option, and it’s not too late. You can still book in through the NHS App, by calling 119, or by visiting the NHS website where there is a list of walk-in sites across the country that you can go to without an appointment.”
Vaccination sites in Devon include Greendale near Exeter, Home Park in Plymouth, some community pharmacies and GP practices.
For the first time, joint bookings can be made for those who use the online booking system or NHS 119 to get their jab. By selecting a joint booking, two eligible people aged 18 and over can get the COVID-19 vaccine in the same location at the same time, making it easier than ever to get protected.
Depending on the vaccination site, those who have booked a joint appointment may be vaccinated at the same time or may have back-to-back vaccination slots.
Statistics from the UK Health Security Agency on last year’s spring covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with covid-19 for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.
More details on people eligible for covid-19 vaccines and how to book a jab are available at nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine
An NHS and council project in north Devon that aims to improve health in rural, coastal and disadvantaged communities has been featured in the Reader’s Digest magazine.
The article in the April 2024 edition outlines One Devon’s approach to foster community support and collaboration to sustain rural services, making them accessible to financially disadvantaged groups.
It also references innovative mental health support that has been introduced, including “Arts on Prescription” and “Nature on Prescription”.
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) have launched a new website, helping to support children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
The new site serves as a comprehensive resource hub, providing easy access to a range of tools and guidance that support children and young people in the county.
The new site also aims to simplify the referral process, with a new referral form that helps referrers provide all the information required to determine the level of support needed.
For any questions about the new referral form, please visit CFHD’s website or contact the Single Point of Access team on 0330 0245 321.
A new approach has been published that aims to improve the safety, effectiveness, experience, and outcomes by enhancing coordination and collaboration between primary and secondary care.
Colleagues across both sectors have developed the ‘strengthening Devon’s primary and secondary care interface’ document to improve relationships, clarify responsibilities, remove unnecessary administrative burdens and provide a more efficient system.
Dr Alex Degan, medical director for primary care in Devon, is leading the work and is happy to receive feedback and suggestions for future editions of the paper.
Year 2 children in 24 primary schools across Torbay have been brushing up on their dental health, thanks to a new project funded by Torbay Council.
The scheme, known as Open Wide and Step Inside, has seen the Dental Outreach Team go in to schools to deliver 45-minute oral health education lessons.
The outreach team is run by the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, which delivers programmes across Devon and Cornwall.
Each child receives a goody bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, two-minute timer and a sticker and each class also receives a resource story book for the school library so good habits can continue long after the lesson ends.
A new collaborative committee that aims to improve the clinical and cost effectiveness of medicines in Devon met for the first time this month.
One Devon’s Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee (IMOC), which held its inaugural meeting on 19 April, includes representatives from all health sectors within Devon (acute hospitals, mental health providers, GP practices and community pharmacy) and across professions.
Medicines are the most common clinical intervention and the highest category of NHS spend after staffing, with in the region of £460 million spent in 2023/24.
The IMOC will meet every two months and lead the system in ensuring that progress is made on the 16 National Medicines Optimisation Opportunities.
The first IMOC meeting reviewed key metrics relating to medicines in Devon, agreed its workplan and terms of reference, and had a focused discussion on valproate, which is one of the 16 national priorities and a key medicines safety issue.
The next meeting will focus on the three national priorities relating to cardiovascular disease medicines: lipid management, hypertension and anticoagulants.
For more information about IMOC, please contact Warwick Heale.
A collaborative pilot project aimed at improving access to mental health support for rough sleepers in Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon has been extended.
Led by Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest, the innovative project is supported by Improving Lives Plymouth. It is focused on removing barriers to services that rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping face by upskilling outreach practitioners, ensuring a multi-agency response and embedding new ways of working.
The team involved have been busy bringing together expertise across mental health services, primary care, social care, housing services and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) to support those who are rough sleeping.
The project will now run until September, when it is hoped that the newly developed pathways and training will be used to inform improvements across Devon.
Rowan Burrows, Specialist Change Practitioner for the Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Rough Sleepers Project, said: “When you stereotypically think of a rough sleeper, the reality and how that looks for someone living in a rural community is very different and it’s a very precarious situation for these people.
“It’s a complex problem but what we have discovered is that there are a lot of amazing staff out there who are working so hard to support this group of people and that there is a real willingness to want to come together and drive change.”
As well as continuing to roll out mental health awareness training, work is underway to gather experiences and feedback from those with lived experience to help identify the barriers they face to accessing services.
A number of community listening events are also being planned.
Rowan added: “We want to make sure that everyone is seen, heard and listened to and that what we learn from them is used to put the right tools in the system to make changes for them.
“Ultimately, the pilot aims to establish local relationships and processes to enable existing services to build support around the individual and those supporting in a truly joined up way. The work of the pilot will make recommendations for improving access to mental health support and guidance across Devon, in particular considering the diversity of services and demands across urban and rural areas.”
