With Scotland’s Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme set to begin later this summer, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Public Health Scotland (PHS) are encouraging older adults to look out for their invitation letters arriving.
Last year, there were more than a thousand cases of RSV recorded in adults aged 75 and over in Scotland, with more than half 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 more than 1,500 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. However, RSV can affect the lower airways in some people and cause severe illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), PHS 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 during 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.
Also starting from August, pregnant women will be offered the vaccine during discussions with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. The timing of the vaccine offer will help protect their newborn babies from serious illness caused by an RSV infection.
Dr Nicholas Phin, Director of Public Health Science at PHS, said:
“Vaccinations have played a major role in protecting the health of people across the globe over the last 50 years. The launch of Scotland’s new RSV vaccination programme marks another significant step forward to protect the health of the population.
“RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as older people. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in those aged 75 years and over being hospitalised for RSV, which is a concern. That’s why we’re asking all those who are eligible for the RSV vaccine to look out for their letter and take up the offer to protect themselves against the more serious complications of an RSV infection.”
Justine Craig, Chief Midwifery Officer of Scotland, said:
“I encourage pregnant women to take up appointments for RSV vaccination, and discuss with their midwife, to protect their babies from the virus during the first weeks and months of life.
“RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in a baby’s first year of life and this vaccine could save lives. Vaccination could avoid thousands of GP, A&E visits and hospital admissions.
“Vaccinations will be in place from early next month to maximise the benefit to pregnant women and their babies ahead of winter.”
Lynne McNiven, Director of Public Health – NHS Ayrshire & Arran, added: “RSV usually causes a mild illness. But for some people – newborns, infants and older adults – the virus can be more serious. “Vaccination is the best way to protect them, and so we strongly encourage those eligible to take up the offer when it comes. Look out for your appointment letter in the coming weeks.”