Scottish Government announce premature babies to be given new RSV vaccine

Premature babies can be given a new vaccine against a potentially life-threatening infection from later this year, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said the jab will be available for babies born before 32 weeks to protect them against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) over the winter period.

Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September – with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk.

The move comes after advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Minto said RSV “can be life-threatening to babies born very early”.

She added: “That is why I am pleased the single jab will be offered by all NHS boards across Scotland from this September, helping to protect these high-risk infants over winter.

“We will continue to work hard to protect Scotland’s most vulnerable groups against the respiratory illnesses which circulate throughout the colder months.

“Our various prevention programmes help reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and therefore the pressure on our NHS.”

RSV can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and the lung infection bronchiolitis in babies.

The new vaccine comes after Scotland was the first nation in the UK to introduce another RSV jab, Abrysvo, for pregnant women and older adults last August.

More than 70% of eligible older adults were given Abrysvo, with a study by Public Health Scotland, which was published in the Lancet, showing a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations amongst this group.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of vaccination and immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said: “The last year has seen significant progress in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV, including the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine which is offered at 28 weeks of pregnancy and helps protect newborn babies from serious illness.

“Babies born prematurely are at highest risk of serious complications from RSV and we welcome this programme expansion, which will help to ensure that even more babies are protected during their most vulnerable early months.”