Bucks mum urges pregnant women to take up new RSV vaccine

Claire Harding, from Princes Risborough, has told of the terrifying experience when her baby son was hospitalised for five days at Christmas last year. 

Little Thomas spent five days at Stoke Mandeville after contracting Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -  a contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract.  

The nurse, who works at Oxford University Hospital, recalls when her son became unwell last Christmas when he was just 20 months old.

She said: “He had been under the weather for a few days – high temperature, a bit chesty, off his food, not his usual self. The GP said to take him to A&E if he deteriorates.

"One morning I could see what is known as abdominal tugging where his tummy was contracting inwards as he breathed so we took him to A&E at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and he was seen straight away.

She said the whole ordeal was horrible, saying: “It was awful and very stressful. It was really difficult to get a toddler to wear a nebuliser.

She added: "I wouldn’t wish it on any parent. As the RSV virus progressed his oxygen levels would be ok in the day but would keep dropping at night and we had some very stressful nights in the hospital while they tried to stabilise him.”  

Thomas remained in hospital for five days and since then has to use a reliever inhaler every time he gets a cold.  

The UK Health Security Agency is highlighting the benefits that the new RSV vaccination programme is expected to bring following its introduction from September.

Despite infecting around 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life, RSV is not something that many people are aware of.

It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis and is a leading cause of infant mortality globally.

Claire, now 32 weeks pregnant with her second child, has already signed up for the vaccine.

She added: “I am so lucky that the timing has worked out that I can have the vaccine before I give birth again.

She added: "There is no way I want to go through RSV again and I know it could be even more dangerous for a younger child. I would advise any pregnant woman who is eligible to have the vaccine. It could save your child and your family from a very stressful experience if your child catches the virus at a young age.” 

What is RSV? 

Respiratory syncytial virus, also called human respiratory syncytial virus and human orthopneumovirus, is a contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. 

RSV illness is the main cause of winter pressures in children’s hospitals each year leading to pressure on paediatric intensive care units, including cancelled operations.

It accounts for approximately 20,000 hospitalisations in children under one year-of-age and is responsible for 20 to 30 infant deaths a year in the UK.

A spokesman for UKHSA said: "We continue to work rapidly with NHS colleagues to ensure an effective roll out of the two new programmes and will also monitor the impact of the programmes through its routine national surveillance."

A recent analysis  estimated that the new programme launching in England this autumn could typically prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 emergency department attendances for infants.

The study bases its estimates on the assumption that uptake among pregnant women will be around 60 per cent. It also estimated that the maternal programme could mean 70,000 fewer RSV illnesses in infants under 12 months, 20,000 fewer GP consultations and avoid more than 200 infants being admitted to intensive care units.

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “These two new RSV vaccine programmes - one for pregnant women and another for older adults as they turn 75 - offer huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV, helping to protect lives as well as ease NHS winter pressures. 

“UKHSA has provided critical scientific information to evidence the benefits of a national RSV immunisation programme and so the rollout of the vaccine is a truly positive moment for the public’s health. I urge all those eligible, to take up the offer when the programmes begin in September.”

"The vaccine is the safest way to protect you and your baby" 

Dame Harries added: “Having the vaccine during every pregnancy is the best way to protect your baby against RSV, as the vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus, and these then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born. The vaccine reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first six months of life.

“The RSV vaccine is the safest way to protect you and your baby. It has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and the USA. Many thousands of women have had the vaccine in other countries, including more than 100,000 women in the USA.”
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:

“Maternal vaccinations are crucial to protect newborns from life-threatening illnesses like RSV. 

“Sadly my grandson caught RSV, just days after he was born. It led to weeks in intensive care and persistent, long-lasting health issues. I wouldn’t wish that on any family. This new vaccine programme offers us an opportunity to prevent similar trauma, helping stop thousands of hospitalisations while saving precious lives.

She continued: “I urge everyone eligible to get the vaccine. By doing so, you will provide protection from the first day of your baby’s life and safeguard your child’s future.” 

Steve Russell, NHS director for vaccinations and screening, said: “This is a vitally important study demonstrating the huge impact the RSV vaccine will have, reducing pressure on NHS services during the winter months but more importantly keeping infants out of hospital and saving lives.

“The NHS will be rolling out the vaccine from 1 September and with RSV infecting around 90% of children in their first two years of life, we strongly encourage pregnant women who are 28 weeks pregnant or more to speak to their maternity team or GP about getting vaccinated - it could save your child’s life. While those aged 75 to 79 should come forward as soon as they are invited by their GP.”

In addition to the maternal vaccine programme, a free RSV vaccine will be offered to all those turning 75 years on or after 1 September, along with a one-off campaign for those already aged 75-79 years.

The same modelling – using enhanced surveillance of older adult admissions  – suggests that the first season of the older adult’s catch-up programme could prevent around 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses in adults in this age group.