More babies in Scotland who are born very prematurely will now be
protected against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with the
introduction of a new single injection which lasts throughout the
winter season.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation (JCVI), the single dose long-acting antibody
medicine, nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) will replace the five monthly
jabs which were previously offered to higher-risk infants between
October and February.
In addition, the existing programme for higher risk infants is
being expanded to include very preterm infants, born before 32
weeks.
Scottish Minister for Public Health :
“RSV can be life-threatening to babies born very early.
“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.”
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.”
BACKGROUND
RSV can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and infant
bronchiolitis, a lung infection.
The current RSV maternal vaccine (for infant protection) is given
at 28 weeks, so the expansion of the programme to all infants
born before 32 weeks gives protection to those babies who are
unlikely to benefit from maternal vaccination.
The new injection for babies is the latest development in efforts
to protect those most vulnerable to RSV and prevent unnecessary
hospital admissions over the busy winter period. Last August,
Scotland was the first nation in the UK to introduce another new
RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, for pregnant women and older adults - more
than 70% of eligible older adults took up the offer, leading to a
Public Health Scotland study, published in the Lancet, showing a
62% reduction in RSV related hospitalisations among this group.
