Maternal RSV vaccine launches at UCLH

Tens of thousands of babies hospitalised across the UK each year could now be protected by a new maternal Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine available from today to protect babies.

The Public Health and Prevention Minister, Andrew Gwynne MP, and CEO of UKHSA, Dame Jenny Harries, met staff and patients at a UCLH maternity clinic to discover plans to roll out the vaccine.

One patient was Dr Mie Wong, a university science researcher, who is expecting her baby in December. She met the Minister when she was having maternal vaccines at UCLH to protect her baby from winter viruses and bacteria, including whooping cough. Mie said:

“I wanted to help keep my baby safe by passing on my antibodies to her while her immune system is still developing in her first months of life. It was very moving to meet the Minister and hear his family experience of RSV. It is wonderful that this new option of the RSV vaccine is becoming available for mothers to consider as part of their maternity planning.”  

Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:

“At UCLH, I had the privilege to meet with dedicated midwives, healthcare staff, and expectant mothers, all committed to protecting newborns with the rollout of this crucial RSV vaccine.

“My grandson contracted RSV just days after birth, leading to weeks in intensive care and long-lasting health issues—I wouldn’t want any other family to face that pain.

"I strongly urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and secure the future health of your children and loved ones."

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people with RSV recover in around a week without the need for medical treatment however for some people RSV can be life-threatening. Each year in the UK, RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations in children aged under 5.

Complications of severe RSV infection include bronchiolitis, the inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia. In the UK RSV sadly accounts for 20 to 30 infant deaths each year but from today the vaccine can be offered to pregnant women over 28 weeks to help protect their babies who are at higher risk of severe illness.

The Minister also met Yasmin Baki, Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Lead for the Emergency Department at UCLH, who has treated many sick babies with RSV. They discussed the impact of RSV on babies and hospital admissions. Minister Gwynne also showed Yasmin a picture of his grandson who survived RSV after hospital treatment.

UCLH CEO, Prof David Probert said; “We feel incredibly lucky to have a wonderful vaccine team and maternity team working together to offer the RSV vaccine during routine maternity visits. We were so happy to show the Minister how we will make the vaccine easily available especially after hearing how his grandson became so sick with the virus. We aim to help lots of mothers protect their babies this winter.”

Prof. Dame Jenny Harries, CE of UKHSA, said:

“The rollout of the RSV vaccine is a truly positive moment for expectant mums, their babies and our health services. I was delighted to visit UCLH and hear first-hand from the midwives, managers, support staff, immunisation team and patient representatives about the hard work going into planning the service rollout and ensuring everyone has the information to help future parents understand the benefits of the new programme. I also met with paediatricians at UCLH who treat the thousands of children admitted annually with RSV.

“These new RSV vaccines for pregnant women, to protect their newborns, and for older adults offer huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable, helping to protect lives as well as ease NHS winter pressures.”

The vaccine, developed by Pfizer, will be rolled out following the advice from the independent JCVI published in September 2023.