NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has advised that invitation letters for those eligible for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination will arrive at homes from this week.
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. It causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite. Most people recover after 2 to 3 weeks, but RSV can affect the lower airways in some people and cause severe illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and potential hospitalisation.
There were over 1,000 cases of RSV recorded in adults aged 75 and over in Scotland, with more than half (535) having to spend time in hospital as a result (Oct 2022-Sept 2023). RSV is also the leading cause of emergency respiratory admissions to hospital in Scotland in infants, with 1,516 children aged under one hospitalised with the virus last year.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), Public Health Scotland has been working with the Scottish Government and NHS boards to develop plans for the roll out of Scotland’s RSV vaccination programme to protect newborns, infants, and older adults.
Appointments will start in August 2024. Those turning 75-years-old, on and between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, will be the first to receive invitations. The vaccine will also be offered to anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 August 2024 as part of ‘catch up’ programme, as the RSV vaccine is new to Scotland and this group could not be given the vaccine before now.
Starting from August, pregnant women will also be offered the vaccine to help protect their newborn babies from serious illness caused by an RSV infection. Pregnant women will be offered this during discussions at their 28-week antenatal appointment.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has also set up drop-in maternity clinics to capture women who will already be over 28 weeks pregnant when the vaccine starts rolling out in August. See dates and locations below:
- Saturday 17th August- 9-5pm at PRM, Level 2, seminar room
- Saturday 17th August-9-5pm at RAH, outpatient department
- Sunday 18th August-9-5pm at QEUH, Maternity vaccination room.
- Saturday 24th August-9-5pm at PRM, Level 2, outpatient department
- Saturday 24th August-9-5pm at RAH, outpatient department
- Sunday 25th August-9-5pm at QEUH, Maternity vaccination room.
- Saturday 31st August-9-5pm at PRM, Level 2, seminar room
- Saturday 31st August-9-5pm at RAH, outpatient department
- Sunday 1st Sept-9-5pm at QEUH, Maternity vaccination room
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Director of Public Health, Dr Emilia Crighton said:
“While RSV symptoms can be cold-like, the illness can take between two to three weeks recovery and can have a serious impact in severe cases, particularly with older people when it leads to more serious conditions such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
“As this vaccine is newly available from this year, we want to ensure that word is spreading and that people who are entitled to it know that they should come along to receive it. If you know someone that is in the age category for the vaccine, it is worthwhile checking in with them to see if they have received their invitation or if they need support in attending their appointment.
“The reason we ask pregnant women to get their vaccine also is to protect their baby from birth when they are at their most vulnerable. Please discuss this with your midwife as you reach 28 weeks.”
View the JCVI advice on RSV immunisation programmes
View information on the RSV vaccine for adults on NHS inform
View information on the RSV vaccine for babies on NHS inform
