A midwife who also works as a Health Protection Practitioner at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is calling on pregnant women in the East of England to take up the new RSV vaccine that will protect their babies from serious respiratory illnesses.

From September, the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine will be available to all pregnant women following a study commissioned by the Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

A recent detailed analysis estimated that the new programme launching in England this autumn could typically prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 emergency department attendances for infants.

The study bases its estimates on the assumption that uptake among pregnant women will be around 60%. It also estimated that the maternal programme could mean 70,000 fewer RSV illnesses in infants under 12 months, 20,000 fewer GP consultations and avoid more than 200 infants being admitted to intensive care units.

Despite infecting around 90% of children within the first 2 years of life, RSV is not something that many people are aware of. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis and is a leading cause of infant mortality globally.

Sharon Rippe, Senior Health Protection Practitioner at UKHSA East of England said:

“As a midwife I know how awful respiratory illnesses in very young babies can be, which is why I am urging pregnant women to take the new RSV vaccine to protect their babies.

“When babies are born, they are often vulnerable to many illnesses and too young to be vaccinated. By taking the vaccine during pregnancy, mums can be reassured that their babies are protected from serious illnesses during the first few weeks of life that could sometimes lead to hospitalisation or even death.”

RSV illness is the main cause of winter pressures in children’s hospitals each year leading to pressure on paediatric intensive care units, including cancelled operations. It accounts for approximately 20,000 hospitalisations in children under 1 and is responsible for 20 to 30 infant deaths a year in the UK.

The UKHSA continues to work rapidly with NHS colleagues to ensure an effective roll out of the two new programmes and will also monitor the impact of the programmes through its routine national surveillance.

With the RSV vaccine available from 1 September 2024 in England, a mother from Southampton, Christine Burlison, whose baby became seriously ill from the virus, is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated and ensure they give the best protection to their newborns at a time when they are most at risk from RSV. 

Christine’s daughter and son both contracted the respiratory condition as babies. Christine’s daughter Aria was 11 days old when she began struggling to breathe and was hospitalised.  Doctors said she had developed bronchiolitis, a blocking of the airways in the lungs, as a result of RSV.

Aria recovered, but after her little brother Jude was born, he also got RSV.  But this time the family knew how to spot the signs, and he was only in hospital for a few hours.

Christine said: “Now having the option of a vaccine that could prevent other families having to go through the same experiences as ours did is simply amazing.

“The most terrible thing that you can face as a parent is seeing your child struggling to breathe.  Knowing now that there is a vaccine that could remove all that worry, and anxiety is just incredible.  Having that protection for a newborn is all you could wish for as a parent.”

While RSV infections can occur all year round, cases usually peak every winter around December, so it’s important that those eligible take up the offer as soon as possible when invited by the NHS from September.

Dame Jenny Harries added: “Having the vaccine during every pregnancy is the best way to protect your baby against RSV, as the vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus, and these then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born. The vaccine reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first six months of life.”

Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said:

“This is a vitally important study demonstrating the huge impact the RSV vaccine will have, reducing pressure on NHS services during the winter months but more importantly keeping infants out of hospital and saving lives.

“The NHS will be rolling out the vaccine from 1 September and with RSV infecting around 90% of children in their first two years of life, we strongly encourage pregnant women who are 28 weeks pregnant or more to speak to their maternity team or GP about getting vaccinated – it could save your child’s life. While those aged 75 to 79 should come forward as soon as they are invited by their GP.”

In addition to the maternal vaccine programme, a free RSV vaccine will be offered to all those turning 75 years on or after 1 September, along with a one-off campaign for those already aged 75-79 years.