As the NHS Ayrshire & Arran vaccination teams prepare to welcome patients for their annual winter vaccines, those still to get their RSV vaccine are urged to come forward.
Clinics offering vaccination for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to older adults have been running in Ayrshire since August and will conclude next week (Saturday 21 September), as the focus for our vaccination team shifts to delivering the annual winter programme for seasonal flu and COVID vaccines.
Lynne McNiven, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Director of Public Health said:
“In the early summer letters were sent out to those aged 75 to 80 years old inviting them to attend for their vaccination, which is being offered as part of a new programme. This age group can be vulnerable to the negative effects of RSV, a highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system and can cause severe illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
“If you received a letter inviting you for vaccination but were not able to attend for any reason and still wish to come forward, we invite you to follow the instructions on the letter to arrange to attend one of the remaining RSV vaccine clinics taking place in Ayrshire this year. If you’re aged 75 to 79 then this will be your last opportunity to get the vaccine before January 2025, when further clinics will be scheduled.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
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