RSV vaccine during pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, you’ll be offered the RSV vaccine. It will help protect your baby against serious illness from RSV infection.
What the RSV vaccine is for
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus. In most people it causes a mild illness with cold-like symptoms.
Common symptoms in babies include:
- a runny nose
- decrease in appetite
- a cough
- a fever
- ear infections
Most babies recover after 2 to 3 weeks of illness. In some cases, RSV can cause severe illness leading to complications and time in hospital.
Those who are at highest risk of severe illness from RSV infection include:
- premature babies
- newborn babies (particularly in the first 6 months)
- children under 2 years with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system
RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection that causes the small airways in the lungs to get infected and inflamed.
Bronchiolitis is a common reason for babies to be admitted to hospital. If a child has RSV bronchiolitis in their early life, it may increase the chance of them developing asthma when they’re older.
Who can get the RSV vaccine
You’ll be offered the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy.
When you get the RSV vaccine, your body makes antibodies. These are what your body uses to fight RSV infection. These antibodies will transfer from you to your unborn baby through the placenta. This means that your baby will have some protection from RSV as soon as they’re born.
How to get the RSV vaccine
Your midwife will explain the arrangements for getting your RSV vaccine in your local area.
Vaccine safety net member
Public Health Scotland is a proud member of the Vaccine Safety Net and partners with NHS inform to provide reliable information on vaccine safety.
The Vaccine Safety Net is a global network of websites, evaluated by the World Health Organisation, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety.
More about the Vaccine Safety Net