NHS Rolls out RSV Vaccine to Pregnant Women and the Elderly

Pfizer was criticised for not warning those on the trial that a similar vaccine was withdrawn by rivals GSK after a signal for pre-term birth was detected.

A logo of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and a close up of a needle, dated Nov. 17, 2020. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

The NHS has begun vaccinating pregnant women and older people against a usually mild respiratory virus that can occasionally cause serious complications in babies and the elderly.

Officials hailed the “landmark” respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) programme as one that could prevent thousands of hospital admissions, easing pressure on the NHS during winter.