Two new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes will be introduced in August 2024 to offer protection to infants and older adults
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and children, but the severity of illness developed can vary.
RSV follows a seasonal pattern, typically starting in October, peaking in December and declining by March. RSV therefore contributes to significant pressure across our health and care services over the winter months.
For infants, RSV can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways of the lung) which can be serious and cause death. RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in the first year of life, with over 3,000 hospitalisations in Scotland per year.
After infants, older adults are most likely to experience severe complications from RSV that may require hospitalisation, as they are more likely to have underlying chronic health conditions such as lung and heart disorders that increase the likelihood of complications.
The Programme for older adults will offer vaccination to those aged 74 up to the age of 80 (i.e. 79+364 days) on the 01 August 2024. This will be:
- A single dose of vaccine for those turning 75 within the 12 months from 01 August 2024,
and
- A catch-up programme for those aged 75 up to 80 (i.e. 79+364 days) as of 01 August 2024. This catch-up will only run in the first year of the programme.
The team are currently planning to deliver the older adult programme between August and the end of September 2024. All eligible citizens will invited to attend an appointment. There will be limited capacity for rescheduling appointments over this period due to the overlap with the upcoming seasonal flu vaccination programme. Further information is available on NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-adult
Programme to protect infants
The protecting infants programme will be delivered through maternal vaccination offered to pregnant women. All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant (the eligible cohort) on 1 September 2024, will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth. Further information is available on NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-baby