The new maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine rolled out in September saw more than 1 in 3 women giving birth take up the offer during the first month, giving vital protection to newborns from the first day of life against what can be a severe and life-threatening illness.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data from NHS GP practice records shows that 33.6% of women who delivered in September had the RSV vaccine.
With women delivering in September having a relatively short window to take up the offer, the data shows the new maternal RSV programme got off to a positive start in its first month of introduction.
Further coverage data for October births, with pregnant women having had a longer window in which to get vaccinated, will be published in a month’s time.
What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.
Almost all children get the virus at least once before they’re two years old.
In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital.
The virus can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in babies and older adults.
RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations of children under five in the UK every year and tragically causes 20 to 30 infant deaths.
Young children with a very high risk of getting seriously ill from RSV may be given an injection of infection-fighting antibodies each winter.
This helps reduce the risk of RSV causing severe bronchiolitis. It’s usually given in children’s clinics and hospitals.
When should pregnant women have the RSV vaccine?
Pregnant women should be offered their RSV vaccine around the time of the 28-week antenatal appointment.
Anyone who hasn’t heard by this stage should contact their maternity service or GP practice to make an appointment to ensure they don’t leave their newborn vulnerable to the virus.
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.
Data shows stark variability in vaccine uptake
The data shows considerable variability in uptake by ethnic group, ranging from 11% in women of mixed white and black Caribbean ethnicity to over 50% in white Irish and Chinese ethnic groups.
Despite infecting around 90% of children within the first two years of life, RSV is not something that many people are aware of.
However, the new data aims to highlight the important protection the RSV vaccine provides in pregnancy.
These resources help to explain the impact of RSV infection and how, by getting the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, women help protect their babies in the first few months of life when they are most at risk. The resources also act as a visual reminder to get vaccinated.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, UKHSA, explained: “The RSV vaccine offers a vital opportunity for any mums-to-be to protect their babies from severe RSV lung infection, and it’s encouraging to see the RSV programme getting off to such a positive start with over a third of women who gave birth in September having had the vaccine.”
Steve Russell, NHS England’s National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, added: “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, 140,000 pregnant women have had the RSV vaccine since we began offering it in September, with vaccination and maternity teams across the country raising awareness and making it as easy as possible for those eligible to get the life-saving jab.”
He concluded: “With higher numbers of RSV cases circulating this winter is it vital you get protected if eligible – so please come forward and speak with your GP about getting your jab today.”
