Tag: respiratory syncytial virus

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

National RSV vaccination programme announced

  • The UK is the first country in the world to offer a national vaccination programme that uses the same vaccine to protect both infants and older adults from RSV
  • The vaccine will protect infants and older adults, easing winter pressures on the NHS
  • Eligible people urged to take up offer when rollout begins in September

The UK will become the first country in the world to have a national programme that uses the same vaccine to protect both newborns and older adults against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

The rollout, which will start from 1 September in England, includes both a vaccine for pregnant women over 28 weeks to help protect their newborn babies, a routine programme for those over 75, and a one-off campaign for people aged 75 to 79.

These are the groups at the greatest risk from RSV, based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Scotland will begin its rollout first, from 12 August, while Wales and Northern Ireland will also start their schemes in September.

Despite infecting around 90% of children within the first two years of life, RSV is relatively unknown among the public. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis and is a leading cause of infant mortality globally.

Each year in the UK, RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations in children aged under five and is responsible for 20 to 30 infant deaths. It also causes around 9,000 hospital admissions in those aged over 75.  The RSV programme could free up thousands of hospital bed days and help to avoid hundreds of deaths each year.

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said: “As someone who has seen the devastating effects of RSV firsthand. I am thrilled to see the UK leading in the way in tackling this devastating disease.

“My own grandson contracted RSV when he was just days old, leading to weeks in intensive care, and a lifelong impact on his health. I don’t want anyone to go through what he went through. 

“Not only will this vaccine save lives and protect the most vulnerable, it will help ease pressure on our broken NHS, freeing up thousands of hospital beds as we head into winter.”

People aged 75-79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be invited to receive their RSV vaccination with their GP, and those turning 75 after this date will also receive an invitation from their GP once eligible. 

Women that are at least 28 weeks pregnant should speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to get the vaccine to protect their baby.

These vaccination programmes will save lives and significantly reduce the burden on the NHS during the challenging winter months.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “RSV is a very serious illness, infecting up to 90% of children by the age of two and causing thousands of babies and older people to spend time in hospital over winter – so this rollout is a huge step forward and will undoubtedly save the lives of many of those most at risk.

“We strongly encourage those aged 75 to 79 to come forward for their vaccine when they are invited from September and for women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant to speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to ensure their baby is protected.”

Professor Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive, said: “This new vaccine offers huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV, helping to protect lives and ease winter pressures for the NHS. UKHSA has provided critical scientific information to evidence the benefits of a national RSV immunisation programme and so the rollout of the vaccine is a truly positive moment for the public’s health.

“Having successfully procured an effective vaccine and designed a programme to protect both babies and older people, we are already working rapidly with our NHS and Local Authority colleagues to be ready to provide vaccinations from September – please do come forward if you are eligible.”

The vaccine has been developed and produced by Pfizer. The programme follows the advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published in September 2023.

RSV vaccination programme in Scotland

Following last year’s advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), Public Health Scotland has been working with the Scottish Government and NHS boards to develop plans for the roll out of Scotland’s  Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme to protect newborns, infants and older adults. 

RSV is a common respiratory virus that generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms. Most cases recover after 2-3 weeks of illness, but RSV can cause severe illness in some people, including newborns, infants and older adults, leading to complications and hospitalisation. 

With the new programme set to commence later in the summer, some information is now available on NHS inform and more detail will follow soon.   

View the JCVI advice on RSV immunisation programmes    

View NHS inform information for newborns and infants and older adults

Scottish hospitals roll out three-in-one winter virus tests

Hospitals in Scotland are rolling out new single tests to identify whether patients are infected with Covid-19, flu or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

The new three-in-one “multiplex tests” will be used when patients arrive showing respiratory symptoms at some emergency departments and assessment units.

They have been  introduced with £5 million of Scottish Government investment.

They  provide an advantage over “multi-target testing” which requires two or more tests to be carried out – one for Covid-19 and a second for other viruses such as flu A, flu B and RSV.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The introduction of these new tests is an important step to help protect our NHS staff and patients, as services remobilise and we learn to live with the virus.

“The results will help hospital staff assess the treatment and placement of patients which should help accelerate patient flow through the system.  It will also play a key role in avoiding healthcare associated infections and co-infection.

“It would be a mistake to think that the successful delivery of the vaccination programme means testing becomes less important.

“Testing will continue to play a vital role in our drive to bring down new cases of Covid-19 and break off future chains of transmission.”

The fastest multiplex tests will see results provided within two hours and will be  prioritised for emergency admissions to assist with patient placement and treatment.  Other laboratory-based tests may take between 90 minutes and eight hours for the results to come through.

All asymptomatic patients, staff and citizens will still be tested for SARS CoV-2 only and this will constitute the majority of testing in Scotland.

Colds and flu symptoms in babies and children: NHS Inform advice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes cold and flu symptoms in babies and children – and moderate levels have been detected in Scotland.

Most children will make a full recovery in 2 – 3 weeks if infected.

Visit NHS Inform for more: https://bit.ly/3BIP6Ft