Newly eligible pregnant mothers are being told that “now is the time to act” and get the RSV vaccine to protect their babies ahead of this winter.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant mortality around the world and a main cause of child hospitalisations every year – with almost 7,000 bed days taken up by children with RSV last winter in England (6,815 from 25 November 2024 – 30 March 2025).
The Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England, and following the highest number of RSV cases on record last year in Australia, cases have been steadily increasing since the start of 2025 in many areas, with almost half of RSV cases in children aged up to four.
“Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time to act for mums.
Elaine Clancy, chief nursing officer for the NHS in south west London
Elaine Clancy, chief nursing officer for the NHS in south west London, is urging eligible pregnant women from 28 weeks to speak to their maternity services about getting the RSV vaccine to ensure their babies are protected ahead of their first winter months.
She said: “While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation.
“Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time to act for mums, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.”
The RSV vaccine was offered to pregnant women in England for the first time last September and has now helped to protect more than 300,000 mothers and babies.
Thanks to the hard work of GP and maternity services, vaccination teams and pharmacies across the country, NHS staff have now delivered more than two million RSV vaccinations to eligible people since the roll-out kicked off.
Pregnant mums from 28 weeks onwards can access the RSV jab through their maternity services or via their GP practice.
Older adults aged 75 to 79 years old are also eligible. Across the coming weeks NHS England will send invites to over one million people via letter, text, email or NHS app notifications to remind those eligible to come forward.
New research from the UK Health Security Agency has found the RSV vaccine is around 82% effective in preventing older people being hospitalised with an RSV infection, and another study by NHS paediatricians found that the maternal vaccine is 72% effective in preventing hospitalisation for newborns whose mothers are vaccinated more than 14 days before delivery.
Vaccinations to protect against flu and whooping cough are also recommended to women during pregnancy to further protect the health of the mother and their baby.
Parents should ensure their children are up to date with their routine NHS vaccinations to protect against infections including HPV, meningitis and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). For children and adults up to the age of 25, speak to your GP about catch-up vaccination options.