RSV vaccinations
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The RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine is offered to adults at the highest risk of serious illness from RSV infection.
It’s usually given as an injection in your upper arm. You may be able to get the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines like shingles or pneumococcal (PPV).
The RSV vaccine is also offered during pregnancy, regardless of age - from 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Respiratory syncytial virus is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. While most RSV infections are usually mild, it can cause severe illness for older adults and in babies under one year of age. For those at greatest risk, RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
July 2025: read more about RSV vaccinations at Public Health Scotland: Older adults encouraged to take up RSV vaccine offer.
Eligibility and appointments
If you’re turning 75 years old between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026, you’ll be offered the RSV vaccine. This includes if your 75th birthday is on 1 August 2025 or 31 July 2026.
You can also get the RSV vaccine if you’ve not yet been vaccinated, and you’re aged between 75 and 79 years of age. To be eligible, your date of birth should be between 2 August 1945 and 31 July 1950.
NHS Highland will contact you when it’s time to get the vaccine - please wait to be contacted with an appointment. Appointments will be offered between July and September 2025. Get help by phone or email with appointments if you need it.
If you hold Power of Attorney (POA) for an adult with incapacity please bring the POA documentation to vaccination appointments. Without this we may not be able to vaccinate due to lack of valid consent.
Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwife about getting the vaccine from 28 weeks of their pregnancy.
Important: RSV vaccine information at NHS inform
Find out more about the vaccine at NHS inform:
- what the RSV vaccine is for
- who can get the vaccine
- about the RSV vaccine
- how to get the vaccine
- side effects of the vaccine
- information in other languages and formats
Important: Help by phone or email
When leaving a message by phone or email, please include your name and address (including postcode). One of the team will get back to you as soon as possible. Leave one message only as this will help our team to get back to everyone quickly.
Phone
Contact our local Service Delivery Centre helpline if you:
- have been asked to book an appointment
- need to rearrange an appointment
- need to cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)
- have questions about vaccination clinics
phone 08000 320 339
Available:
- Monday, 9:30am to 5:00pm
- Tuesday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
You can leave a voicemail outside these hours with details.
The RSV vaccination programme for older adults (video)
Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV.
Immunisation and vaccines
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Vaccinations for adults
Routine vaccinations for adults, and during pregnancy.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) and flu vaccinations
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Pneumococcal vaccinations
The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is also known as the PPV, pneumococcal or 'pneumo' vaccine.
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RSV vaccinations
The RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine is offered to adults at the highest risk of serious illness from RSV in...
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Shingles vaccinations
Older adults in Scotland are offered routine vaccination for shingles.
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Vaccinations for babies, children and young people
Vaccinations available for babies, pre-school children and young people from 11 years.
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Child flu vaccination
NHS Scotland recommends all eligible children should get the flu vaccine to help protect them from influenza (flu).
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Travel vaccines
You can get vaccinations for international travel at local community pharmacies.