Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Eligibility Criteria

13 Feb

Petition

The House of Commons petition session focused on the eligibility criteria for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and shingles vaccines. The petition, led by Labour MP Bambos Charalambous, urged the government to extend vaccine eligibility to individuals aged 80 and above. Charalambous highlighted the significant health benefits these vaccines could offer to the elder population, citing constituent Jane Wessman's experience and the serious health risks posed by RSV, such as acute respiratory infections and pneumonia, and shingles-induced blindness.

80 years

The current age limit for free RSV and shingles vaccines, which the petition requests to abolish.

Charalambous argued that the age-based discontinuation of vaccine eligibility was arbitrary and harmful to seniors who might otherwise remain vulnerable to severe illnesses. He emphasized the need for reallocating government funds to support the provision of these vaccines for the older population, aligning with practices in the USA and the EU, where these vaccines are widely recommended for individuals over 80.

More than 14,000

The number of RSV-related hospital admissions annually in the UK for individuals over 65.

The broader health implications raised and the specific comparison to international practices underscored the petition’s central plea—to secure governmental intervention that prioritizes and safeguards the health of senior citizens by providing free access to life-saving vaccines.

In the USA and EU

Comparable regions where free vaccine recommendations extend beyond the 80-year age threshold.

Outcome

The outcome of the debate was not immediate but suggested further government consideration on the age criteria for receiving the RSV and shingles vaccines, given the compelling arguments and public health concerns cited.

Key Contributions

Bambos CharalambousMP

Labour

Highlighted the adverse consequences of the current age limit of 80 for vaccine eligibility.

Original Transcript

Bambos Charalambous

Southgate and Wood Green

Lab

11:37

People with respiratory illnesses, such as my constituent Jane Wessman, benefit greatly from receiving the free respiratory syncytial virus vaccine and also the shingles vaccine.

The arbitrary decision to end eligibility for these vaccines at the age of 80 has a profound effect on those who need it the most. Accordingly, my constituent and others would like to see the age barrier lifted and the vaccines continuing to be available after the age of 80.

The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the Government take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to seek a reallocation of funds to ensure that the provision of the free Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine dose and Shingles vaccine dose is extended to those individuals who are 80 years of age or older.

” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the United Kingdom, Declares that extending the eligibility criteria for the free Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine and the Shingles vaccine dose to individuals who are 80 years of age or older would bring considerable health benefits; notes that the former illness can cause acute respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, community-acquired pneumonia and lead to death and the latter illness can caused decreased vision or permanent blindness; and notes that vaccine doses for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Shingles virus are recommended to all individuals 80 years of age and over in the United States of America and in the European Union.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to seek a reallocation of funds to ensure that the provision of the free Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccine dose and Shingles vaccine dose is extended to those individuals who are 80 years of age or older.

And the petitioners remain, etc.

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