Call for people to get new lung virus jab

Thousands of eligible pregnant women and older people across the South West have taken up the offer of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination so far this winter.

Available figures show that NHS staff in the South West have delivered 124,867 RSV vaccinations in just over two months, as the NHS ramps up efforts to protect against COVID-19, flu and RSV this winter.

Nationally, more than one million people have received the RSV jab in the first ever NHS rollout of the vaccine. Health teams across the South West have visited care homes, offered vaccination at maternity appointments and contacted other eligible people to take up the offer to protect themselves.

RSV infections are common but can be particularly dangerous to young children and older people as they may lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis. This means RSV is a significant cause of winter pressures in children’s hospitals and increased pressure on paediatric intensive care units.  

Staff from vaccination and maternity teams have worked to bring together services so that it is as easy as possible for pregnant women to get the life-saving jab at any point from 28 weeks into their pregnancy, alongside their maternity care. 

Having the vaccine during pregnancy is the best way to protect a baby from getting seriously ill with RSV, as the vaccine boosts the mother’s immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus to help protect the baby from the day they are born.  

Pregnant women can get the jab, at any point from 28 weeks into their pregnancy, alongside their maternity care. Alternatively, pregnant women can get vaccinated by request at their local GP practice, while older adults will be invited by their local GP practice. 

Dr Michael Marsh, Medical Director for NHS England South West, said: “We see thousands of young children admitted to hospital each winter with RSV which often causes bronchiolitis. It is a particularly horrible illness for under ones, and especially in the first few weeks and months of life. I urge all pregnant women and people to speak to their maternity team to organise their vaccine.

“Available when you reach 28 weeks of pregnancy, it offers the best protection for babies and can prevent them from becoming very unwell.’’

Dr Alasdair Wood, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South-West said: ‘’RSV is a really common infection. For most people it will be a mild illness like a common cold, but sometimes it can cause really nasty infections. In particular for young babies it can cause them to be admitted to hospital or even intensive care.

‘’This is the first time the RSV vaccine has been offered to pregnant women and older adults in the NHS, and is really going to help protect babies, families, and older adults ahead of winter.

“This vaccine is also vital to help protect our NHS as we head into the busy winter period. While RSV infections can occur all year round, cases usually peak in winter at the same time as infections from COVID and flu viruses. This puts real pressure on hospitals and paediatric services.

‘’We know that not everyone who is eligible for this vaccine has come forward yet. I would strongly advise all pregnant women to speak to their maternity teams today to organise their vaccine against RSV. Alongside the other vaccines offered in pregnancy, such as whooping cough, this is absolutely the best protection you can offer your baby from the moment they are born. I also encourage those aged 75-79 to attend their vaccine appointment once they are invited by their GP practice.’’ 

 A recent study in the Lancet showed that the RSV vaccination programme could prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 A&E attendances for infants – a critical, life-saving step forward to help front line staff prepare for increased winter pressures.  

The same modelling also suggests that the first season of the older adult’s catch-up programme alone could prevent around 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses in adults in the older age group.  

As advised by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the RSV vaccine has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and the USA.  

For further information visit:@NHSRSVvaccine