The NHS in the South West has provided over 260,000 vaccinations for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) since the vaccine launch in September 2024. This includes more than 30,000 pregnant women, vaccinated to protect their baby in the crucial first months of life.   

RSV is a common virus and almost all children get an RSV infection before they turn 2 years old. However, while most people will only get cold-like symptoms, it can make babies and older adults seriously ill and cause breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies). 

To help protect babies and older adults the RSV vaccine programme was launched in England on 1 September 2024 and since then 2 million vaccinations have been administered.  

Dr Julie Frier, Consultant in Public Health and Screening and Immunisation Lead for NHS England South West, said: “RSV can be a very severe illness and is the cause of thousands of hospital admissions for babies and older people each year.  

“The vaccine helps prevent those most vulnerable becoming seriously ill. I would strongly advise anyone who is eligible to book their appointment and get their RSV vaccine as soon as they can. For older people this will help to protect themselves and for pregnant women this will help to protect their unborn baby.”  

The RSV vaccine is available for free for pregnant women (from 28 weeks onwards) and older adults who are aged 75 to 79.  

If you turned 80 after 1 September 2024, you’re eligible for the RSV vaccine until 31 August 2025. If you have not yet received your RSV vaccine, you may be sent an invitation as part of a national RSV invitation campaign which will be taking place across the coming weeks.

The RSV vaccine is offered to pregnant women as vaccination boosts the mother’s immune system, prompting it to make extra protective antibodies which are passed to the baby in the womb, giving protection from birth. If you are pregnant, you can access the RSV vaccine through your maternity service or local GP practice from 28 weeks gestation. 

Last year, a mother from Bath, Alice Cook, shared the story of her daughter Henrietta and their experience with RSV, urging pregnant women to come forward for their vaccinations.  

Alice said: “At 3 weeks old, Henrietta caught a cold from her older sister, which gradually began to get worse. By day 5, she was still struggling with a cough and a fever, and I noticed that she was working really hard to breathe. 

“I decided to take her to A&E where she was quickly assessed. The consultant was called and was very worried about her condition. A blood gas reading was taken and within minutes she was being given high flow oxygen through tubes in her nose. She also had a tube passed into her tummy as she was too exhausted to feed. This meant that I had to pump milk for the nursing staff to give to her via her tube throughout the night. I felt helpless.” 

“Thankfully the next day she stabilised, but it was a long 4 days ahead until she was well enough to come off oxygen and establish feeding again. I felt so tired and emotional; it was awful not even being able to cuddle Henrietta because of all of the tubes attached to her. 

“Nine months on, Henrietta is now a happy and healthy baby, but those first few weeks of her life were incredibly tough, and not how I pictured the newborn bubble to be. 

“I would encourage all pregnant women to take up the RSV vaccine when offered. Henrietta being in hospital was so scary and I wouldn’t wish any other family to go through what we did.” 

During Immunisation Awareness Month, which takes place in August, it is important to check you are up to date with your NHS vaccinations. Parents should also ensure their children have received their routine NHS vaccinations to protect against infections including HPV, meningitis and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). For children and young adults up to 25 years old, please speak to your GP about catch-up vaccination options. 

For further information on RSV and the vaccine, visit the NHS website.