A new vaccination programme is being launched in Scotland aimed at protecting newborns and the elderly from a dangerous respiratory disease.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme begins on Monday morning, and will be rolled out across the rest of the UK from September.

RSV is common and highly contagious. It affects the respiratory system and can cause severe illness in vulnerable groups, including infants and older people.

It is the leading cause of hospitalization for respiratory emergencies in infants.

According to Public Health Scotland, more than 1,500 babies under one year of age and more than 500 people aged 75 and over were admitted to hospital because of RSV in 2022-23.

Across the UK it results in the death of 25-30 babies each year.

Although many children have mild symptoms, the infection spreads easily and 90% of children become infected within the first two years of life.

Ellie Smith, from Aberdeen, is a mum of two and knows from experience how serious RSV can be for babies.

Her two-year-old son recovered from the infection and suffered no complications, but shortly afterwards her newborn son, Leo, developed a fever.

“I contacted NHS24 and they told me to admit him straight away,” he said.

“They did a number of tests and they confirmed RSV and a UTI (urinary tract infection).”

Between the third and fifth day of infection, he began having difficulty breathing.

“It was very hard to watch, because there wasn’t much we could do other than control the symptoms.

“He wasn’t able to eat, so he had to be fed through a tube.

“We tried to put him to sleep every now and then, but his cough was really bothersome. It was like he was suffocating.”

Ellie said it was tough looking after her unwell baby – especially as she was still recovering from the C-section.

“My husband and I were trying to pick up shifts, but I had to do most of the work.

“I worked nights at the hospital because he was a newborn and had no schedule and was very sick.

“We were tired and emotional.”

She added, “As far as the fact that the vaccine is now available for pregnant women as well, if I were in that position again, I would not let this opportunity go.”

“It was very hard to go through that. If you can get through that, I’m willing to do anything.”

This vaccine is being administered on the advice of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The dose is being given to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns, as well as as a one-time dose for those over 75 years of age and those aged 75 to 79 years.

Dr Sam Ghebrehiwet, head of vaccination and immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said: “RSV can be very serious for people who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, infants and the elderly.

“If you are eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn from RSV.”

First Minister John Swinney said an early rollout of the vaccination programme in Scotland could help ease winter pressures on the NHS.

He added: “It is equally important that people aged 75-79 years accept this vaccine.”

The symptoms of RSV usually begin within a few days of becoming infected.

According to the NHSMost people only have cold-like symptoms, such as:

• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• cough
• Tiredness
• a high temperature

Babies with RSV may also be irritable and drink less milk than usual.

If RSV causes a more serious infection (such as bronchiolitis), it can also cause:

• a cough that gets worse
• Rapid breathing or long gaps between breaths
• Difficulty eating or feeding
• noisy breathing (wheezing)