West Yorkshire residents aged 75 and over can get a vaccine to help protect against serious lung infection
Older people in West Yorkshire can now get protection against a virus which can cause serious lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
All adults aged 75 and over, and people living in a care home for older adults, are now eligible for the NHS Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine.
RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs.
While symptoms are mild for many people, the virus can be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia, bronchitis and flare-ups of existing lung disease and other long-term conditions.
This can make it difficult to breathe and leave some older people requiring hospital treatment.
Eligible people in West Yorkshire can book an appointment through their GP practice.
People living in care homes should speak to care home staff about vaccination.
The RSV vaccination programme also continues to be offered to pregnant women to help protect newborn babies.
Dr James Thomas, Medical Director at NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: “RSV can circulate all year round and, while it’s mild for many people, it can cause serious illness in older adults and those with existing health conditions.
"The RSV vaccine offers strong protection and can help reduce the risk of severe chest infections such as pneumonia.
"If you’re eligible, please take up the offer as soon as you can by booking through your GP practice or speaking to staff in your care home. The vaccine offered during pregnancy also helps protect newborn babies.”
Find out more about RSV vaccinations on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine