Vaccine to tackle bronchiolitis-causing winter cough virus could be offered to children and the elderly on the NHS next year

A jab to protect against one of the most common winter bugs will be offered to children and older adults within a year, a top vaccine chief has revealed.

The Government’s inoculation advisory group recommended in June that an immunisation programme be rolled out against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – best known for causing the lung infection bronchiolitis in children.

Three highly effective RSV vaccines have been given the green light for use in the UK, including one developed by drug firm Pfizer that was approved last week by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

But according to Professor Adam Finn, a child vaccine expert and member of the Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the roll-out won’t begin until next year, due to delays by health officials in working out a deal with the vaccine manufacturers.

Professor Finn says: ‘We’ve gone from having no RSV vaccine to having several highly effective options in the space of a few years.

RSV – respiratory syncytial virus – is a major cause of lung infections in children and can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis

‘Officials now have to decide which jabs to use and then negotiate a price.

‘After that, the drug companies need to manufacturer the vaccines and ship them to the UK.

‘Unfortunately this process won’t be done in time for winter. But given the clear need for this vaccine, I’m hopeful that, by next year, patients will be offered a jab.’

The charity Asthma + Lung UK last week called on the Government to deliver the jabs ‘as soon as possible’ after the number of children hospitalised with the bug quadrupled within just a month.

RSV hospitalises about 30,000 children and 18,000 adults each year – but until recently, no valid vaccine had been developed.

Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK says that while many children do not become seriously unwell with RSV, it can be dangerous for others.

‘Like most other colds and viruses, RSV starts with a blocked or runny nose and can progress to a cough, fever and sometimes breathing difficulties,’ she says.

‘For most children, it will clear in a few days, and they can be looked after at home.

‘However, some youngsters do develop more severe symptoms and, eventually, bronchiolitis.’