Across Birmingham and Solihull, 800,000 people are being urged to get their vital protection this winter.
Over the next few months, hundreds of local people may die as a result of avoidable respiratory illnesses and 10,000 hospital admissions could be avoided by having timely vaccinations.
In preparation for winter, NHS Birmingham and Solihull has today launched a Birmingham and Solihull campaign, encouraging people to ‘breathe easy’ by getting the best protection.
Unvaccinated residents over 65, those with long term health conditions and pregnant women are among those most at risk of getting flu and COVID. Those who are aged 75 – 79 and pregnant women will be offered the RSV vaccine.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. It can make people become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.
There is no specific treatment for RSV and whilst most infections will get better by themselves, every year thousands of older adults and newborn babies need hospital care for RSV, with some sadly dying.
RSV can be more severe in older people, those with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system. Those who are eligible for the RSV vaccine are being invited to get immunised by their GP.
It is common in young children but is most serious for small babies, which is why maternity services across the region are offering pregnant women an RSV vaccine from 28 weeks up to delivery.
Helen Kelly, NHS Birmingham and Solihull’s Chief Nurse is also warning of pressure over GP appointments, with over 3,500 appointments across Birmingham and Solihull expected to be taken up by patients with avoidable respiratory illnesses.
She said: “Vaccination is the best form of defence against flu, COVID and RSV.
"No one wants to be admitted to hospital for an illness that could have been entirely preventable.
“We need people to take advantage of the vaccinations that are available to them this winter and do all they can to protect themselves and those around them from these potentially serious and sometimes fatal infections.”
Across Birmingham and Solihull there are 221,000 adults aged 65 years and over who are eligible for a COVID and flu vaccination.
There are over 150,000 residents who are aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group who would benefit from the protection of both COVID and flu vaccinations.
In 2024/25 approximately 60,000 Birmingham and Solihull residents will be offered the RSV vaccination.
David Melbourne, Chief Executive of NHS Birmingham and Solihull’s Integrated Care Board, said: “We know that immunisations keep residents and health and care staff ‘breathing easy.’
"We can only achieve our long-term goals of keeping Birmingham and Solihull residents safe and well by doing everything we can today, and this winter.”
Appearing on billboard displays, bus stops, inside buses, online and on local radio station Unity FM, the Breathe Easy campaign will run for the next six weeks across Birmingham and Solihull to promote vaccination uptake among Birmingham and Solihull residents.
Director of Public Health in Solihull, Ruth Tennant, added: “Every year we strongly encourage our citizens to get their vaccinations, as they give extra protection against common winter illnesses. These illnesses can be very harmful and vaccination really can make a big difference.
“Even if you aren’t in a vulnerable group, getting vaccinated will reduce the likelihood of you passing an illness onto others, significantly reducing the spread and severity of these viruses.
"I would urge anyone who can to get their vaccinations as soon as possible this winter and encourage friends and family to do the same.”
For more on essential immunisations this winter, visit the NHS Birmingham and Solihull website.