VACCINATION clinics are to be set up in Inverclyde offering protection against a respiratory virus that can be potentially life threatening in babies and older people.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board have announced plans for number of drop ins to administer the new jab for preventation against RSV, to all over 75s in a bid to prevent the most vulnerable ending up seriously ill in hospital.

Pregnant women will also be routinely offered the vaccination at Inverclyde Royal Hospital to give immunity to unborn babies.

(Image: PA)

The RSV virus is highly infectious and can result in severe illness like pneumonia and bronchiolitis leading to complications.

Pop up clinics will take place in the coming weeks in the Gamble Halls as they roll out the vaccination to all those eligible.

This announcement comes following assurances from the health board after concerns were raised about the future of vaccination programme locally following changes to the system.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Director of Public Health, Dr Emilia Crighton said: “While RSV symptoms can be cold-like, the illness can take between two to three weeks recovery and can have a serious impact in severe cases, particularly with older people when it leads to more serious conditions such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.

“As this vaccine is newly available from this year, we want to ensure that word is spreading and that people who are entitled to it know that they should come along to receive it.

"If you know someone that is in the age category for the vaccine, it is worthwhile checking in with them to see if they have received their invitation or if they need support in attending their appointment."

“The reason we ask pregnant women to get their vaccine also is to protect their baby from birth when they are at their most vulnerable."

There were over 1,000 cases of RSV recorded in adults aged 75 and over in Scotland, with more than half (535) having to spend time in hospital as a result (Oct 2022-Sept 2023).

RSV is also the leading cause of emergency respiratory admissions to hospital in Scotland in infants, with 1,516 children aged under one hospitalised with the virus last year.

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), PHS has been working with the Scottish Government and NHS boards to develop plans for the roll out of Scotland’s RSV vaccination programme to protect newborns, infants, and older adults. The health board told the Tele that older adults can get their RSV vaccination at Gamble Halls, Gourock, on August 20 and 27, and September 3, 10, 17, 24.

There will also be a pop-up clinics at Greenock Town Hall on August 22 and 29 and September 5, 12, 19, 26.

Eligible patients will receive letters with details of timed appointments in the coming weeks.

The spokesperson went on to confirm pregnant women will be offered the RSV vaccine at Inverclyde Royal Hospital when they are attending their scheduled antenatal appointments.

Two years ago Councillor Martin McCluskey, the newly elected MP, raised concerns about vaccination programmes when he was a member of the health board.

He was concerned that since the health board had taken responsibility for the vaccinations from GP surgeries.

At a meeting he said that people with respiratory conditions who needed extra protections like the HIB and other ad hoc jabs were having to travel to clinics outside Inverclyde, where previously they had attended their GP.

Most recently health bosses said that arrangements would be made so that those people would no longer need to travel.

Pregnant women approaching 28 weeks are told to speak to their midwives for advice.