Guidance

Respiratory syncytial virus: the green book, chapter 27a

Respiratory syncytial virus immunisation information for public health professionals, including updates.

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published
20 March 2013
Last updated
16 OctoberFebruary 20242025 — See all updates

Documents

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): The Green Book, chapter 27a

Ref: UK Health Security Agency gateway number: 2024320

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Details

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped RNA virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family within the Pneumovirus genus. The virus has a non-segmented, single stranded, negative sense genome that encodes 11 proteins.

RSV  is a common cause of respiratory tract infections.  It causes a mild self-limiting respiratory infection in adults and children, but it can be severe in infants and older adults who are at increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection.

This chapter features:

  • the epidemiology of the virus
  • the RSV immunisations
  • the dosage and schedule for the products
  • the rationale behind the RSV programmes
  • recommendations for the use of RSV immunisations
  • contraindications and adverse reaction advice
  • supply information

Updates to this page

Published 20 March 2013
Last updated 16 OctoberFebruary 2024 2025 + show all updates

  1. Updated with recent evidence on vaccine safety and effectiveness, and latest JCVI advice on selective immunisation with monoclonal antibodies.

  2. Links to national immunisation programme letters added, revised in alignment with the 4 national programmes.

  4. Updated with detail of vaccine supply for Wales.

  6. Updated to include the new RSV maternal and older adults immunisation programme.

  8. The chapter has been updated to provide clearer definitions of the groups in whom palivizumab use is advised. Revisions to the chapter also take into account the revised formulation of Synagis® as a solution for injection.

  10. First published.

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