Scotland’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme is set to begin from next week. Eligible adults in Shetland will receive a letter or phone call about their appointment.
There were over 1,000 cases of RSV recorded in adults aged 75 and over in Scotland last year, with more than half (535) having to spend time in hospital as a result. 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.
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. It generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite. Most people recover after two to three weeks, but RSV can affect the lower airways in some people and cause severe illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, which can result in admission to hospital.
The people who are most at risk from serious illness due to RSV are older people aged 75 and over, and newborn babies and infants. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that these groups are therefore offered vaccination against RSV. This new programme is for people when they reach the age of 75 and for all pregnant women, during each pregnancy, to protect the baby once born.
Appointments will start from Monday 12 August 2024. Those turning 75 years old on and between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025 will 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.
Also starting from mid-August, pregnant women will be offered the vaccine during discussions with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. Vaccinating pregnant women protect their babies once born and at most risk.
Jacqueline Whitaker, Chief Midwife at NHS Shetland, said: “From 12 August, we'll be offering pregnant women RSV vaccination. Midwives will discuss the vaccination during an antenatal appointment and then offer the vaccine at 28 weeks. Anyone who was 28 weeks pregnant on or after the 1 August will also be offered a vaccination. The timing of the vaccination is important as it will offer protection and protect the newborn baby from serious illness caused by RSV.”
Dr Susan Laidlaw, Director of Public Health at NHS Shetland, said: “Like flu and Covid, most people with RSV have short lived cold and flu like symptoms. However, babies, infants and older people can be at risk of very serious life-threatening illness. But we can now prevent a lot of that serious illness through vaccination. You can find out more about RSV and the vaccine on the NHS Inform website - www.nhsinform.scot, search for ‘RSV’. This includes information leaflets in a variety of languages and formats.”
“If you have questions about RSV, or other vaccinations, please ask your midwife or practice nurse or contact the Vaccination Team on shet.vaccination-team@nhs.scot or phone 01595 743319.”