RSV vaccine could prevent 5,000 infant hospitalisations

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By Kaye McIntosh

The new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant women could prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 emergency department attendances for infants, a study shows.

The vaccination programme will be rolled out by GPs from September in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and began this month in Scotland.

The scheme is in two parts, one for women over 28 weeks of pregnancy and another for people aged 75-79.

A detailed analysis published in Lancet Regional Health Europe estimated that the maternal programme could mean 70,000 fewer RSV illnesses in infants aged under a year, 20,000 fewer GP consultations and avoid more than 200 infants being admitted to intensive care units.¹

The first season of the older adults catch-up programme, a one-off campaign for those already aged 75-79 years, could prevent around 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses, a second paper estimated.² The vaccine will usually be offered to everyone as they reach 75 years old.