The RSV vaccine helps protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill.
It can cause severe chest infections like pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. It is recommended that women who are pregnant and adults aged 75 and over have the RSV vaccine.
If you are aged 75 or over and have not yet had the RSV vaccine, then you are eligible to have it now. It is just one dose and does not require a booster vaccination. You can have it at the same time as other vaccines including your spring COVID-19 booster vaccine. If you have been sent an invite for the spring COVID-19 booster but do not want to have that, you can still come to the appointment to get your RSV vaccine. You can also get the RSV vaccine now if your 75th birthday is before 31 July 2027.
Vaccine appointments will either be at the Grantfield Vaccination Centre in Lerwick or at your local health centre. If you have any questions, or if you think you should have been sent an appointment letter but have not received one, please contact the Vaccination Team on 01595 743319 or email shet.vaccination-team@nhs.scot.
If you are in a care home, then you will be offered the RSV vaccination by the Community Nursing Team. RSV vaccination in pregnancy continues to be offered by midwives at routine antenatal appointments.
Further information about the vaccine can be found here RSV vaccine for adults | NHS inform