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Guidance

Respiratory syncytial virus: the green book

Respiratory syncytial virus immunisation information for public health professionals, including updates.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Health Security Agency
Published:
20 March 2013
Last updated:
3 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated following the MHRA approval of clesrovimab and JCVI advice on adult risk groups.

  2. Updated with latest evidence and details of the catch-up programme for people age 80 and over, JCVI advice on clesrovimab and MHRA guidance on preF vaccines.

  3. Updated to include nirsevimab selective immunisation programme information. Updates to older adult adverse reactions section, older adult coadministration, and on recent efficacy and disease burden evidence.

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

  5. Updated with recent evidence on vaccine safety and effectiveness, and latest JCVI advice on selective immunisation with monoclonal antibodies.

  6. Links to national immunisation programme letters added, revised in alignment with the 4 national programmes.

  7. Updated with detail of vaccine supply for Wales.

  8. Updated to include the new RSV maternal and older adults immunisation programme.

  9. The chapter has been updated to provide clearer definitions of the groups in whom palivizumab use is advised. Revisions to the chapter also take into account the revised formulation of Synagis® as a solution for injection.

  10. First published.

Documents

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): the green book chapter

PDF, 485 KB, 30 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

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