RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. While most RSV infections are usually mild, it can cause severe illness in babies under one year of age and some older adults. For those at greatest risk, RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
Common symptoms include:
• a runny nose
• decrease in appetite
• a cough
• fever
Last year in Scotland, there were over 1,000 RSV cases in adults aged 75 and over. Fortunately, there’s now a vaccine which helps protect against RSV. The vaccine is being offered:
Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against infections cause by the virus. Because RSV infections often happen earlier in the year, this vaccine will be offered in August and September.
If you are eligible our immunisation team will contact you when it’s time to get the vaccine. Please wait to be contacted.
The RSV vaccine is offered during pregnancy to helps protect your baby against serious illness caused by infection.
RSV is the most common reason that babies are admitted to hospital in Scotland with breathing. problems. RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, which causes small airways in the lungs to become infected and inflamed. Over 1,500 people were admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis in Scotland last winter with premature and newborn babies amongst the most at risk.
The RSV vaccine boosts your immune system, which then produces more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then pass through the placenta to your baby, helping protect your baby from the day they are born.
During pregnancy, you can get the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks onwards and you should be offered vaccination around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment. Having the RSV vaccine at this time helps protect your baby, even if they’re born early. If you have any questions about the RSV vaccination then speak to your midwife, who will be able to support and advise you.
Find out more about RSV vaccination by visiting: www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-adult or www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-baby
