NHS Cheshire and Merseyside begins RSV vaccine roll out

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has started vaccinating people against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for the first time in its history.

A leading cause of infant mortality around the world, RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds but can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, which are 'highly dangerous' to older people and young children.

As part of winter preparations, pregnant women and older adults, including those turning 75 on or after September 1, will be offered vaccinations.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, associate medical director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “RSV is preventable. This new vaccination will provide vital protection to babies, women and older adults at greatest risk. I would urge those eligible to take up the offer as soon as possible when offered by the NHS.

“If you are 28 weeks pregnant or over, please speak to your midwife or maternity provider about getting the vaccine. The RSV vaccine is one of four maternal vaccines offered to pregnant women and will provide your baby with the greatest protection against the virus.”

Having the vaccine during pregnancy is the best way to protect a baby from getting seriously ill with RSV (Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

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

RSV is a main cause of winter pressures in children’s hospitals every year, leading to increased pressure on paediatric intensive care units. 

Cases have been on the rise in recent years, with an average of 146 young children in hospital each day at the peak in winter last year (w/e December 3, 2023).

This is up 11 per cent on the peak observed during the previous winter (132) from the same time in late November.    

A recent study in the Lancet medical journal showed that in the North West the new vaccine programme could prevent 628 hospitalisations and 1,885 A&E attendances for infants.

Starting this week, NHS teams across the region are preparing to start rolling out the jabs all year round.

Having the vaccine during pregnancy is the best way to protect a baby from getting seriously ill with RSV.

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. 

Research from the thousands of women across the world who have already been vaccinated against RSV shows that it reduces the risk of severe lung infection by around 70 per cent in the first six months of the baby’s life.

Women should speak to their maternity service about receiving their vaccine from 28 weeks to at any point up to birth.

Alternatively, pregnant women can get vaccinated by request at their local GP practice, while older adults will be invited by their local GP practice.