RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections in babies. While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and it’s complications are increased in older adults and in neonates and small babies. It has a considerable impact on individuals and NHS services during the winter months.
The vaccination boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born. RSV vaccination reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6 months of life. After this age, your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV.
The vaccine has been shown to reduce the chance of your baby suffering from severe RSV disease. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, and some babies may still get RSV infection despite their mothers having the vaccination. However, for most babies born to vaccinated mums, any RSV infection should be less severe.
You can have the RSV vaccination from 28-weeks’ up to 36-weeks’ gestation. You will remain eligible to receive the vaccine later in your pregnancy, but this may be less effective.
Having the vaccination in week 28, or within a few weeks of this, will help you build a good level of antibodies to pass on to your baby before birth. This will give your baby the best protection, including if they are born early.
Pregnant people will be offered the vaccination through their maternity service. If you have not been offered this vaccination, contact your midwife to book.
When you are called up for your RSV vaccine, if you have not yet had your whooping cough or flu vaccines, then you should have them at the same time.
For more information, please access this link: A guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
