The NHS has started vaccinating pregnant women and older people against a respiratory virus that can make some people seriously ill.

Officials suggest the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) programme could prevent thousands of hospital admissions for babies and elderly people, easing pressure on the NHS in the run-up to the winter months.

From September 1, women will be offered the vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect themselves and their babies.

After months of preparation from our hardworking staff, for the first time ever we are now offering the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults at greatest risk

Adults turning 75 on or after September 1 will also be offered the jab, while a one-off catch-up programme will target those aged 75 to 79 to ensure older people are protected ahead of winter.

Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: “After months of preparation from our hardworking staff, for the first time ever we are now offering the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults at greatest risk – helping to protect the lives of those vulnerable and ease pressures across the NHS as winter approaches.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way you can protect yourself and those around you – and while RSV infections can occur all year round, cases usually peak in winter, so it’s important that those eligible take up the offer as soon as possible this autumn when offered by the NHS.”

RSV causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract and typically causes cold-like symptoms in healthy adults and older children.

However, babies are at risk of severe illness from the virus, as are premature infants, older adults and people with heart and lung disease or a weak immune system.

According to the NHS, an average of 146 young children were in hospital with RSV each day at the peak of winter last year, up 11% on the previous year.

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: “Vaccination is a vital means of protecting babies, women and families, as well as helping to manage increased pressures on NHS capacity during the winter period.”

I don't want any parent or grandparent to have to go through the trauma that we went through with our grandson with something that is entirely preventable, which RSV is

Health minister Andrew Gwynne shared his family’s experience with RSV.

His grandson was just weeks old when he contracted the virus, which developed into bronchiolitis.

He was put in an induced coma by medics and spent two weeks in intensive care.

“It was just heartbreaking watching this tiny, weeks old baby just helpless on the machine,” Mr Gwynne told the PA news agency.

“Around 20,000 babies a year are hospitalised with RSV, and very tragically between 20 and 30 a year will die from it.

“And yet it’s entirely preventable.

“So that’s why this vaccine is so important.

“I don’t want any parent or grandparent to have to go through the trauma that we went through with our grandson with something that is entirely preventable, which RSV is.”

This vaccine programme can free up thousands of hospital spaces to deal with other life-threatening diseases, for which there isn't a prevention yet

Mr Gwynne added that the vaccine “will ease enormous pressure on the NHS”.

He said: “From my perspective, firstly, on the human level, for any illness that is preventable, it’s our duty to prevent it.

“We’ve got the tools to prevent RSV, and so I encourage those in the two cohorts, the pregnant mums with babies, and the 75 to 79s, to take it up.

“But it also does ease pressure on the NHS.

“So take the babies – approximately 20,000 babies a year are hospitalised because of RSV.

“This vaccine programme can free up thousands of hospital spaces to deal with other life-threatening diseases, for which there isn’t a prevention yet.

“And likewise with the elderly.

As we head into winter it’s vital all those eligible for vaccinations such as RSV, flu and/or Covid-19 take them up as it is the best way to protect yourself and those around you

“Around 9,000 people aged over 75 will end up in a hospital bed yearly with conditions such as pneumonia that has been caused by RSV.

“And if that RSV is preventable, that pneumonia is preventable, and just freeing up a fraction of those beds in the difficult winter months will ease enormous pressure on the NHS.”

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urged those eligible to take up the jab, along with vaccines for flu and Covid-19.

“UKHSA has provided critical scientific information to evidence the benefits of a national RSV programme and so the rollout of the vaccine is a truly positive moment for the public’s health,” she said.

“Having a new RSV vaccine offers huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable, helping to protect lives as well as ease NHS winter pressures.

“As we head into winter it’s vital all those eligible for vaccinations such as RSV, flu and/or Covid-19 take them up as it is the best way to protect yourself and those around you.”