RSV vaccination at DGA Health: protecting older adults and newborn babies
By DGA Health Clinical Team • 2, Oct 2026
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and airways. In healthy younger adults it usually behaves like a cold. In older adults and newborn babies, however, it is a leading cause of pneumonia, bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and hospital admission.
In the UK, RSV cases rise sharply each autumn and winter. A single dose of vaccine can substantially reduce the risk of severe illness, and because one dose protects for more than one season, it can be given at any time of year. At DGA Health we offer private RSV vaccination all year round using Abrysvo (Pfizer), the same vaccine used in the NHS older adult and maternal RSV programmes.
Is RSV vaccination available on the NHS?
In England, the NHS offers RSV vaccination free of charge to everyone aged 75 and over, to residents of care homes for older adults, and to all pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you are in one of these groups, you can have the vaccine through your NHS GP practice or maternity service.
Some people choose to have it privately with us for the convenience of a dedicated appointment at a time that suits them. We are always happy to talk through which route is best for you.
Who should consider RSV vaccination?
We offer a single dose of Abrysvo to the groups below, in line with the vaccine's UK licence. For adults under 75, this is a private offer based on your individual clinical risk, rather than part of the national NHS programme.
Adults aged 75 and over
The risk of severe RSV illness and pneumonia rises with age. UK data show that the vaccine substantially reduces the risk of being admitted to hospital with RSV.
Adults aged 50 to 74 with a qualifying health condition
If you are in this age group and live with a condition that makes chest infections more dangerous, we would encourage you to consider vaccination. Qualifying conditions include:
Chronic heart disease: heart failure, coronary artery disease or congenital heart conditions
Chronic respiratory disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, severe or poorly controlled asthma, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis
Kidney disease: end-stage kidney disease or dialysis
Diabetes: treated with insulin or SGLT2 inhibitors (such as dapagliflozin), or complicated by kidney or nerve damage
Severe obesity: a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m² or above
Neurological conditions: stroke, motor neurone disease, or conditions causing muscle weakness or swallowing difficulty
Immunosuppression: from medical treatment or underlying illness
Liver or blood disorders: cirrhosis, sickle cell disease or thalassaemia
Not sure whether your condition qualifies? That's exactly what your consultation is for.
Pregnant women from 28 weeks
Vaccination in pregnancy is one of the most effective ways to protect a newborn baby from bronchiolitis, a serious chest infection and a leading cause of infant hospital admission. Vaccination is recommended in each pregnancy, so it is still worth having if you were vaccinated in a previous pregnancy.
How does vaccination in pregnancy protect your baby?
When you are vaccinated during pregnancy, your body produces protective antibodies that cross the placenta to your baby. This gives your baby protection from birth, through the first months of life when they are most vulnerable.
Timing: The vaccine is licensed from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, and we recommend having it as soon as possible from 28 weeks. Protection for your baby is greatest when there is plenty of time between vaccination and birth. If you are past 36 weeks, vaccination can still be considered, although this is outside the vaccine's licence, so your doctor will discuss it with you individually.
Effectiveness: UK Health Security Agency data from England show that vaccination at least 14 days before birth reduces the risk of a baby being admitted to hospital with an RSV chest infection by around 81%. This rises to around 85% when vaccination takes place at least four weeks before birth.
Safety: Abrysvo contains no live virus. It can be given alongside flu and COVID-19 vaccines and anti-D immunoglobulin. The whooping cough vaccine is ideally given a little earlier in pregnancy, at around 20 weeks.
How long does the vaccine protect for?
For older adults, Abrysvo is a single-dose vaccine. Clinical trials and real-world monitoring show that one dose continues to protect over at least two RSV seasons. Repeat doses and annual boosters are not currently recommended for older adults, although further evidence may emerge on this in the future.
Pregnancy is different. Vaccination is recommended in each pregnancy, so that every baby receives protective antibodies from their mother.
What should you know about Guillain-Barré syndrome?
We believe you should hear about risks as clearly as benefits. At your consultation, your doctor will talk you through the following:
A very small risk: Safety monitoring in older adults points to a small increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious condition affecting the nerves. Current estimates suggest around 9 to 25 extra cases per million doses.
No increased risk seen in pregnancy: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has found no evidence of an increased risk of GBS in pregnant women following RSV vaccination.
A favourable balance: The UK Commission on Human Medicines has advised that the benefits of RSV vaccination outweigh this small risk in older adults.
Safety-netting: Everyone we vaccinate receives verbal and written guidance on what to look out for, such as unusual tingling, numbness or weakness in the hands or feet, and how to get prompt medical help. Early treatment can improve recovery.
What happens at your appointment?
A doctor-led consultation: An experienced GP will check your medical history, then prepare the vaccine immediately before giving it.
A check for previous RSV vaccination: For older adults, repeat doses are not currently advised, so we always confirm you have not had one before. In pregnancy, a dose in an earlier pregnancy is not a reason to miss vaccination this time.
Sensible planning alongside other vaccines: For older adults, the RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as shingles (Shingrix), COVID-19 or pneumococcal vaccines. We usually give RSV and flu vaccines on separate days, as there is some evidence that giving them together may slightly reduce the immune response.
Keeping your GP informed: With your permission, we notify your NHS GP so your records stay complete and up to date.
How much does it cost?
Vaccine: £245 (single dose)
Existing DGA Health patients: £25 administration fee for a dedicated 5-minute appointment, or no extra fee if it is added to a routine consultation
New patients: a new-patient GP consultation and registration are required before vaccination
How do I book?
RSV vaccination is available at DGA Health all year round. Whether you are thinking about your own health or preparing to welcome a new baby, our team is here to help. Contact DGA Health to book your consultation.
Disclaimer
This blog post provides general information only. It is not intended to provide instruction and you should not rely on this information to determine a diagnosis, prognosis or course of treatment. It should not be used in place of a professional consultation with a doctor.
The medical information is the personal opinion of the stated author(s). It is based on available evidence or, where no published evidence is available, on current medical opinion and practice.
Every effort is taken to ensure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete. However, accuracy cannot be guaranteed – rapid advances in medicine may cause information contained here to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate.
The author(s) is/are not responsible for the results of your decisions resulting from the use of the information, including, but not limited to, your choosing to seek or not to seek professional medical care, or from choosing or not choosing specific treatment based on the information.
You should not disregard the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider because of any information you read on this website. If you have any health care questions, please consult a relevant medical practitioner.
