New vaccine for respiratory disease rolls out in Scotland

A new vaccination programme aimed at protecting newborn babies and older adults against a dangerous respiratory disease is now being rolled out in Scotland.

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation programme begins on Monday morning, and will be offered in the other UK nations from September.

RSV is common and highly infectious. It affects the breathing system and can cause severe illness in vulnerable groups, including infants and older people. It is the leading cause of emergency respiratory admissions to hospital in infants.

In 2022-23, more than 1,500 infants under the age of one and more than 500 people aged 75 and over were hospitalised with RSV, according to Public Health Scotland.

Across the UK as a whole it results in 25-30 infant deaths each year. While for many the symptoms are mild, the infection is easily spread and 90% of children will catch it within the first two years of their lives.

The vaccine is being administered on the advice of the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Doses are being offered to women from 28 weeks into their pregnancies, to protect newborns, as well as those aged 75 and as a one-off catch up for those aged 75 to 79.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of immunisation and vaccination at Public Health Scotland, said: "RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, infants and older adults. If you are eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn baby from RSV."

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Source: BBC News, 12 August 2024