John Swinney met with residents at a vaccine clinic in Clydebank as the new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine programme kicked off.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated.
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of immunisation and vaccination at PHS, joined the First Minister during the visit to the Hub Community Centre where they met with pregnant women and older adults, who are among the first to get their RSV vaccine.
Swinney said: “I encourage pregnant women to take up their vaccination appointments to protect their babies against the leading cause of hospitalisation in infants during the first weeks and months of life.
“Ensuring a healthy childhood is every parent’s first priority, however, it is equally important that those aged 75-79 take up their offer of this vaccine.
(Image: James CarneyPublic Health Scotland)
“This programme will reduce the numbers seriously ill or hospitalised, helping to manage the significant winter pressures on our NHS.”
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus.
Scotland saw 1,516 children aged under one hospitalised last year due to the virus.
Pregnant women are offered the vaccine from 28 weeks at their antenatal appointments with their midwife to protect newborns and infants.
In adults aged 75 and over, more than 1,000 cases were recorded between October 2022 and September 2023, more than half of whom were hospitalised.
Scotland is encouraging older adults and those turning 75 between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, and those aged 75 to 79 years old on August 1, to take up their offer of the free vaccine.
Dr Ghebrehewet said: "Vaccinations have played a major role in protecting the health of people across the globe over the last 50 years.
“Today’s launch of the new RSV vaccination programme marks another significant step in protecting the population of Scotland against preventable diseases.
“RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as newborns, infants and older adults.
“If you’re eligible, getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself or your newborn baby from RSV.
“Public Health Scotland continues to work closely with all health boards to ensure as many people as possible receive their vaccine and protect themselves against the more serious complications of an RSV infection.”
Sara, a pregnant woman who received her vaccine at the clinic, said: "After I saw there was going to be a vaccine, I read up about it and decided it was the obvious thing to do to protect my baby when they are born."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here