PREGNANT women in Inverclyde will now be offered a new vaccination to protect their unborn babies against a respiratory virus at their next routine appointment.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have announced all those over 28 weeks will get the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) jab at their routine antenatal appointments in Inverclyde Royal.

RSV is the leading cause of emergency respiratory admissions in infants in Scotland.

Last year alone, 1,516 babies under one year old were hospitalised due to this virus. By getting vaccinated from 28 weeks, mums can give their baby the best protection right from birth.

RSV is a common and highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory system.

It can sometimes lead to severe illnesses like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, especially in young babies, which may require hospitalisation.

Women in Inverclyde who have passed the 28-week mark in their pregnancy by the 12th of August, will be offered the vaccine.