More than two thirds of older adults in Scotland eligible for a new one-off vaccine against RSV have been immunised since the rollout began in August. Public Health Scotland (PHS) said that 68.4% of the eligible population of over-75s have received the jag to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
It is the first time that a vaccine has been available for RSV, which causes cold-like symptoms in most people but can lead to much more serious complications such as pneumonia in the elderly and in young infants. READ MORE: Inside the NHS: Flu, RSV, and why Covid is still a problem for the NHS New RSV vaccine 'could save 3000 lives a year' in UK if uptake is high enough EXPLAINER What is RSV - and why are we vaccinating over-75s against it now? Between August 1 and October 13, a total of 202,288 RSV vaccine doses were administered on the NHS in Scotland to adults aged 75 to 79, or due to turn 75 by July 31 next year. In clinical studies, the Arexvy vaccine against RSV provided good protection against disease for at least two years, although researchers expect that future data will show even longer-lasting protection.
In the meantime, it is being offered as a one-off single dose on the NHS. Last winter was the worst RSV season in at least six years, with around 4,500 RSV-related hospital admissions in NHS Scotland over the four months from October to January. RSV typically peaks in the earlier months of the winter season.
PHS said current surveillance for respiratory inf.