WARRINGTON and Halton Teaching Hospitals are urging pregnant women to get the lifesaving RSV vaccine
Expectant parents can now receive a new vaccine to protect their baby against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The lifesaving vaccination offers newborn babies protection against RSV, a common virus that affects the airways and lungs. It can be spread all year round and causes coughs and colds, but in some cases can cause more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
For babies, it can cause inflammation and blockage of the small air tubes in the lung, making breathing and feeding difficult, which may mean they need to be treated in hospital.
The NHS vaccination programme was rolled out in September 2024, and since then hundreds of babies across Warrington and Halton have been protected against RSV.
Raveen Tank is a mum of two who lives in Warrington and is expecting her third baby. Both of Raveen’s children had bronchiolitis which resulted in them needing hospital care. Talking about her children’s experiences, Raveen said: “Our eldest Daya was just 28 days old when he caught the virus. It started from a sniffle that my husband had, which for adults is easy to recover from but for a small baby can cause serious health complications. Sunil, our second baby, was also very young at just two months old when he became poorly. Seeing my children with all the equipment needed for treatment was really scary, but it’s actually avoidable with the new vaccine.”
Raveen recently attended an antenatal appointment to receive her vaccine and has this advice for expectant parents: “I would absolutely take the vaccine. It avoids so much stress and worry – and your baby doesn’t even need to have a jab. I took the vaccine as soon as I could, and I didn’t feel unwell at all.”
Tildy Ashcroft, Specialist Midwife for Antenatal and Newborn Screening at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, said: “The RSV vaccine is a fantastic way to protect babies at the most vulnerable time of their lives and can provide reassurance to parents.
“As a midwife I would encourage any expectant mum to speak to their midwife about the vaccinations that are available for you and your baby. We are always happy to answer any questions you have and are here to support you.”
The RSV vaccine is offered alongside other maternal jabs to protect expectant parents and babies from preventable illnesses. This includes vaccinations for flu, pertussis which protects against whooping cough, and COVID-19.
Pregnant women are offered the RSV vaccine to protect their baby from week 28 of pregnancy and only one dose is needed to give your new baby the best protection.
For more information on the RSV vaccine please speak to your midwife, GP surgery, or visit the NHS website.
