Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants with RSV bronchiolitis are admitted to hospital each winter in England. Some infants with bronchiolitis become extremely unwell and require admission to an intensive care unit to support their breathing. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system. RSV infections can occur all year round, but cases peak every winter.

The best way to protect young babies against severe RSV infection is for you to have the vaccine during pregnancy. The RSV vaccine is now routinely available to all pregnant women.

The vaccine 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.

You should be offered it around the time of your 28 week antenatal appointment. If you haven’t heard by this stage, contact your maternity service or GP practice to make an appointment. Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks after 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. You can still have the vaccine later in your pregnancy but it may be less effective. If it wasn’t possible to have your vaccine earlier, it can be given right up until you have the baby. If you have it very late in pregnancy, it may still protect you from infection and reduce the risk of you spreading infection to your newborn baby.

Some babies at higher risk of RSV, such as those who are very premature, those with severe heart disease or those with weakened immunity may also be offered an antibody injection after they are born. This injection will provide additional protection on top of any antibodies they might get from their mother.

Talk to your midwife or GP practice for further information.