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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. RSV infections can occur all year round but cases peak in winter.
Why do I need the RSV vaccination in pregnancy and how does it help my baby?
In small babies the virus can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Around 200,000 babies a year are admitted to hospital due to bronchiolitis in England.
Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and some babies will die from the virus.
How effective is the RSV vaccination?
The vaccination is given to you in pregnancy and the protection passes into the womb to your baby via antibodies (protein that protects the body). Having the RSV vaccination in pregnancy reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6-months of life.
After 6-months of life your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV.
What is the risk for me and my baby from the RSV vaccination?
The vaccination has been given to 4,000 women in clinical trials and thousands of women in national programmes. In the USA over 100,000 women have had the vaccination and it has
shown to be safe.
The vaccination has been approved by the medicine regulators in the UK, Europe and USA on the basis of protection, quality and safety.
What does having the RSV vaccination involve?
The vaccination is an injection into your upper arm.
Where can I get the RSV vaccination and when should I get it?
You can have the vaccination from your 28-week antenatal appointment. If you haven’t been offered the vaccination at this appointment please contact your maternity service or GP.
You can have the vaccination up to the time you have your baby, but it might be less effective later on in pregnancy. You should have the vaccination in every pregnancy to protect each baby.
Can I have other vaccinations in pregnancy at the same time as the RSV vaccination?
Vaccinations need to be given at the right time. The whooping cough vaccination is usually given around 16-20 weeks of pregnancy.
The RSV vaccination works better when given separately to the pregnancy and should be given as early as possible. If you have not had your flu or whooping cough vaccinations when you are
offered the RSV vaccination, you can have them at the same time.
Are there any side effects from the RSV vaccination?
There can be mild side effects such as swelling, redness and soreness where the vaccination is given:
- Muscle aches.
- Headache.
