Thousands of pregnant women and older people in the South West have received the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination this winter.

NHS figures show that 124,867 of the vaccinations have been administered in just over two months.

The vaccinations are part of the NHS's efforts to protect against COVID-19, flu, and and viruses this winter.

Nationally, more than one million people have received the RSV jab in the first NHS rollout of the vaccine.

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Dr Michael Marsh, medical director for NHS England South West, said: "We see thousands of young children admitted to hospital each winter with RSV which often causes bronchiolitis.

"It is a particularly horrible illness for under ones, and especially in the first few weeks and months of life.

"I urge all pregnant women and people to speak to their maternity team to organise their vaccine."

Dr Alasdair Wood, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, said: "This is the first time the RSV vaccine has been offered to pregnant women and older adults in the NHS, and is really going to help protect babies, families, and older adults ahead of winter."

RSV infections can lead to severe lung infections such as pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, putting pressure on children's hospitals and paediatric intensive care units.