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
2514 FebruaryJuly 2025 — See all updates

Documents

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

Ref: UK Health Security Agency gateway number: 2024762

PDF, 455653 KB, 2426 pages

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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 2514 FebruaryJuly 2025 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates

    3. Added minor revision to older adult adverse reactions section.

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