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 are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis each year in England. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal. 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.

From September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).  The vaccine will be available for pregnant women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant, with the aim to protect infants against an RSV infection.

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.

How to book your RSV vaccine

If you are a pregnant patient under our care, you are able to refer yourself to have your vaccinations at Darent Valley Hospital. This can be done by completing our online booking form. Alternatively, please contact your GP.

The vaccine has been studied in clinical trials of almost 4,000 women and been given to many thousands of women in national programmes. Monitoring in the USA, where it has been given to over 100,000 women, has shown a good safety profile. The vaccine has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and USA on the basis of protection, quality and safety.

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 vaccine. However, for most babies born to vaccinated mums, any RSV infection should be less severe.

Yes, you should have it in every pregnancy to give your new baby the best protection.

It is important to have your vaccines at the right time in pregnancy:

  • The Flu vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy.
  • The whooping cough vaccine is usually given around the time of the mid pregnancy scan, usually 20 weeks. However it can be given from 16 weeks pregnant.
  • It is recommended that you should have your RSV vaccine once you are 28 weeks pregnant

It is safe to have both Flu and Pertussis vaccines at the same time, but in different arms. To reduce soreness.

Although there is no evidence to suggest the RSV vaccine should not be given at the same time as other vaccines, it has been shown that when given with the Pertussis vaccine, the immunity provided for whooping cough is reduced. For this reason we are offering the RSV vaccine separately to Flu and Pertussis.

You can talk to your midwife or GP practice OR you can read this leaflet online:

A Guide to the RSV Vaccination for Pregnant Women Leaflet - Health Publications

Pregnancy How to Help Protect You and Your Baby - Health Publications