Scotland’s new life-saving Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme begins

With Scotland’s new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine programme having begun, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated.

PHS’s Head of Immunisation and Vaccination, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, joined the First Minister, John Swinney, in a visit to the vaccination clinic in the Hub Community Centre in Clydebank today. During the visit to the clinic in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Dr Ghebrehewet and the First Minister were delighted to meet with pregnant women and older adults who are among the first to have come forward for their RSV vaccine.   

RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. It is 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. 

To help protect newborns and infants, pregnant women are being offered the vaccine during antenatal appointments with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy.

There were also over 1,000 cases of RSV recorded in adults aged 75 and over in Scotland between October 2022 and September 2023, with more than half (535) having to spend time in hospital as a result.

Local health boards in Scotland have been inviting all those currently eligible by letter to come forward for their free RSV vaccine including:

• Those turning 75 years old on and between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025.
• Anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 August 2024.

Highlighting the importance of pregnant women and older adults coming forward for the RSV vaccine, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at PHS, said:

“I’m pleased to join the First Minister and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s vaccination team at Clydebank Community Centre today and see people coming forward for the RSV vaccine.

"Vaccinations have played a major role in protecting the health of people across the globe over the last 50 years. Today’s launch of the new RSV vaccination programme marks another significant step in protecting the population of Scotland against preventable diseases.

“RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, infants and older adults. If you’re eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn baby from RSV.

“Public Health Scotland continues to work closely with all health boards to ensure as many people as possible receive their vaccine and protect themselves against the more serious complications of an RSV infection.” 

Sara, a pregnant woman who received her vaccine at the clinic today, said:

“I’d heard of RSV before and how serious it can be for babies. After I saw there was going to be a vaccine, I read up about it and decided it was the obvious thing to do to protect my baby when they are born.”

The First Minister said: 

“I encourage pregnant women to take up their vaccination appointments to protect their babies against the leading cause of hospitalisation in infants during the first weeks and months of life. 

“Ensuring a healthy childhood is every parent’s first priority, however, it is equally important that those aged 75-79 take up their offer of this vaccine.

“We have acted quickly with partners to introduce this vaccine in time to maximise the benefit to the more vulnerable ahead of winter. This programme will reduce the numbers seriously ill or hospitalised, helping to manage the significant winter pressures on our NHS.”

View information on the RSV vaccine for babies on NHS inform

View information on the RSV vaccine for adults on NHS inform