A vaccine rollout could prevent 5,000 babies from hospitalisation annually due to a common lung disease, as highlighted by public health experts. Research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that the vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) could also spare 200 infants from needing intensive care.
Starting next month, pregnant women beyond the 28th week will be offered the vaccine to protect their newborns immediately after birth. RSV affects around 90% of children within their first two years, usually causing mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can escalate to severe lung infections, such as pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, and is a significant cause of infant mortality worldwide.
Each winter, the virus contributes to increased pressure on children’s hospitals, straining paediatric intensive care units and leading to cancelled operations. It causes roughly 20,000 hospital admissions for children under one year old and is responsible for 20 to 30 infant deaths annually in the UK.
Vaccines offer the best protection for children against many common and preventable illnesses, like #Measles. Check your child is up to date & contact your GP practice to book any catch-up doses.
More info: https://t.co/iT1c5LUCvR pic.twitter.com/RE0e8qiz9y
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) August 8, 2024
Christine Burlison, whose baby suffered from the virus, encourages pregnant women to get vaccinated. Her daughter, Aria, was just 11 days old when she was hospitalised with bronchiolitis due to RSV. “Having a vaccine that can prevent other families from experiencing what we did is simply amazing,” she stated. “Seeing your child struggling to breathe is the most terrible thing as a parent. Protection for a newborn is all you could wish for.”
A study in Lancet Regional Health Europe earlier this year anticipates that 60% of pregnant women will opt for the vaccine. Since RSV also spikes in the elderly, those over 75 will be offered the vaccine to boost their immunity.
Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, emphasised that the vaccination programmes will save lives and alleviate NHS winter pressures. “The vaccine is a truly positive moment for public health,” she affirmed. “I urge all those eligible to take up the offer when the programmes begin in September.”
Pregnant women receive the vaccine to produce antibodies against the virus, which then pass through the placenta to their baby, offering protection from birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the new vaccine for?
The new vaccine is for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common lung disease in infants.
Who will be offered the RSV vaccine?
Pregnant women past the 28th week and people over 75 will be offered the vaccine.
How many hospital admissions could the vaccine prevent?
The vaccine could prevent 5,000 babies a year from being admitted to hospital.
Why is RSV so dangerous for infants?
RSV can cause severe lung infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to infant mortality.
What are the benefits of the vaccine according to experts?
The vaccine will protect lives and ease NHS winter pressures by reducing hospital admissions.