Age limit for RSV vaccination

Bluedaisy

Unfortunately there’s a lot of NHS cut off lines that we don’t know about and often don’t seem to make much sense. A few years ago my Mum was admitted to resus due to a massive stroke and unfortunately for the staff in A&E that night I overheard the Doctor and nurse discussing my DM age and whether she was past the government cut off age for treatment that night. She was 80, it turned out the cut off that night was 81! She would have been treated anyway as after I overheard that I went absolutely mad, I was disgusted. Only a few years ago they were advertising on TV how vital it is to be treated asap with a stroke victim, they certainly don’t tell you that there is a cut off age they won’t treat you!!

Only a few years ago they were advertising on TV how vital it is to be treated asap with a stroke victim, they certainly don’t tell you that there is a cut off age they won’t treat you!!

The phrase is, I believe, "it's not in your best interests" when treatment is denied to the over 80s (and sometimes younger).

However, some years ago, I was hospitalised for quite a period of time. A lady of 87 had extensive, and successful, abdominal surgery - she became a friend. She is now over 90 and caring for her disabled partner.

The surgeon /consultant who performed her surgery was also my consultant (now retired). We were discussing the possibility of further surgery for my condition, and, as he was a personable and friendly man, I asked him "aren't I too old for that?" (I was 78 at the time).

This is what happened - and he probably broke a number of NHS guidelines... I was sitting on my bed and he plonked himself next to me; he took one of my hands and held it between his, smiled at me, and said, "xxx (my first name) - I am looking at your biological age, not your chronological age".

If only this were the standard thinking within the NHS.

DH wants one but only 74. Surgery told him to call beck next July

I had mine and the doctor told me husband 85 was too old for any benefit as immune system weakens with age.

I’m 77 and received a text inviting me for the RSV jab. Rang my local Surgery to be told that there were no available appointments at all! Enquired in person a couple of weeks later and was told I was “too old”!

Unfortunately there’s a lot of NHS cut off lines that we don’t know about and often don’t seem to make much sense. A few years ago my Mum was admitted to resus due to a massive stroke and unfortunately for the staff in A&E that night I overheard the Doctor and nurse discussing my DM age and whether she was past the government cut off age for treatment that night. She was 80, it turned out the cut off that night was 81! She would have been treated anyway as after I overheard that I went absolutely mad, I was disgusted. Only a few years ago they were advertising on TV how vital it is to be treated asap with a stroke victim, they certainly don’t tell you that there is a cut off age they won’t treat you!!

Age reasons are a mystery, perhaps just pay for the jab.

We did. Done and dusted.

My DH has just finished a course of antibiotics for a cough. It's still ongoing, and he generally gets chest infections in the winter. Although he's 86, he still plays bridge with a mixed aged group and goes into London every week to his adult education centre, again mixed age group, I think they are just being ageist.

MissAdventure I was informed by nurse doing the vaccine that the RSV is given to babies almost at birth and have been given this for many years.

Frankly KnittyNannie I cannot think of any 81 year old who only mixes with other people the same age as them. what a stupid ageist remark.

Staff in a medicsl facility, more than anyone else, should know that age tells you nothing about a person, beyond their date of birth.

When I went for the RSV jab, I asked why my husband (almost 81) wasn’t offered it. I was told that he probably wouldn’t need it anyway, as people over 80 only tended to mix with others of the same age. She was a bit taken aback when I said that wasn’t so in his case, as he helped run a cycling club for children and their parents!

My DH who suffers every winter from chest infections had the RSV jab yesterday at a pharmacy… as he turned 80 in April.. we paid privately ..£300.00 I had checked if it would be detrimental to his health being over 80… but was told the decision to cut off at 79 and 364 days was an economic one! Who does the maths!!! What does it cost to keep an over 80 year old in hospital for a week!!!

It’s all a lottery. When the shingles vaccine was first introduced, it was for people aged 70 and 79. However, there was a cut-off, which meant that only those whose seventieth birthday fell after September 1st of that year were eligible. My mother was born in the February of that year so missed out. She did not get it until her late seventies in the end, as it became available to all over seventies. Last year, the age of eligibility for the shingles vaccine was brought down to 65; again the cut-off point was for those born after September 1st 1958. My husband and oldest cousin were both born in July of that year, so it could be years before they are eligible. It all seems so arbitrary.

Had the RSV jab as I am not quite 80. Was told at the time it could make me feel faint or actually make me faint. Wish I had taken notice of that as came down the stairs from the bathroom very proud of myself not slipping & lost a couple of seconds to blackness & landed on the floor against the outer wall thinking ‘dont bash your head’! So got ‘slight’ fracture of my shoulder & lots of bruises! Wish I hadnt had the rotten jab now! Sad arent I? Just hope the wretched thing worked! Wondering if that side effect is why I couldnt have it at same time as Flu& Covid?

DH and I, both 81, have been completely flattened for over a fortnight with a severe respiratory infection. DH has had 2 house visits and a day in a day hospital. I have read the symptoms done the research and think we have RSV, only a swab test could confirm that.

Please can over 80s qualify for the jab as soon as possible. I do not want another bug like the one we have. I am actually investigating if we can pay for the jab as we do not qualify under the NHS.

A lifetime, my doc said.
Perhaps he knows something I don't. 🤔

Ah pneumonia is a good one, lasts either 10 years or a lifetime, depending on who you talk to.
You are too young , of course.

silverlining48

You may have had the rsv MissA. Hope so.

I'm too young! 🤗
It was the pneumonia one I had, and flu.

My surgery doesn't do the covid one.

It’s like the shingles vaccine which is only offered to people in their 70s…

You may have had the rsv MissA. Hope so.

At 76 I do (somewhat reluctantly ) admit to being early /elderly, hard to face the huge jump to very elderly in only a few short years. Do we ever feel we are old? Really old?
I wear jeans, walk miles, drink gin, go to the occasional gig well ABBA Voyage (but on the dance floor…. )
Who am I kidding ?!

I was called to have my RSV as I fall into the 75-79 age category for the injection. The nurse said they were also accepting those who had just reached 80. No after effects. I was not allowed to have this injection at the same time as the Covid/flu though.

That's what I was thinking.
I had a gp appointment yesterday, and he nipped off and came back with a tray of needles, without so much as a by your leave! (2, in fact; I'm prone to exaggeration)

I wondered if one was the rsv.

I think there’s space in my not quite overloaded arm.

Either MissA either, but preferably the jab

By the way I am over 80 but was quite shocked to see that I am considered "very elderly " by the great and the good .!