As mums and dads, we're always on high alert when it comes to any signs of illness in our little ones - with even simple sniffles having the potential to ring alarm bells, and the thought of having a baby taken into hospital being every parent's worst nightmare. That's why the news about a new RSV vaccine will bring peace of mind to families.
First we'll share everything you need to know about the vaccine and who is eligible, and then go into more detail about what RSV is, who is most vulnerable and what symptoms to look out for. Kiran Jones, Clinical Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, has also shared what people should know about the vaccine, the side effects you may potentially experience, and how to manage them.
Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine?
The vaccine will be available on the NHS and offered to anyone who is 28 weeks pregnant or more. Women remain eligible up until delivery, and can have the free vaccine for every pregnancy. According to Gov.uk it's important for pregnant women to have the vaccine in week 28 or at least within a few weeks of this date. This will ensure that you build a good level of antibodies to pass on to little one before they are born, giving them the best possible protection, even if they are born early.
Don't worry if you miss this window though, as you can still have the vaccine later on in your pregnancy, and right up until you have your baby - it just might be less effective. It's still worth having your jab later on as it'll protect you from infection, and therefore reduce the risk of you infecting your newborn baby when they arrive. If you haven't heard anything by your 28 week antenatal appointment you can contact your maternity service or GP practice to make an appointment.
Immunocompromised Brits and pensioners who are also at risk will benefit from the vaccine. It was announced last month that the UK will become the first country in the world to offer a national vaccine programme that uses the same vaccine to protect adults and children from RSV. The vaccine will be made available to adults aged between 75 and 79 and people within this bracket should wait to be contacted by their GP.
About the RSV vaccine
Kiran Jones shares that the vaccine was first approved in 2023. It was designed for adults over 60 years who would be most vulnerable to severe RSV illness and is administered in a single dose. The has already begun in Scotland and will roll out from September for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, he says, and while those eligible for it include pregnant women past 28 weeks and pensioners aged 75-79, Kiran states that the scheme is expected to be expanded to others eventually.
How does the RSV vaccine protect your baby?
The vaccine protects from RSV by boosting the immune system. This produces more antibodies against the virus that will pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born.
How effective is the vaccine?
The disease is most serious for small babies and adults over the age of 75. The RSV vaccination protects babies by reducing the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6 months of life. After this age your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV.
It's important to remember that no vaccine is completely effective. This means that some babies may still get RSV infection even if you have the vaccine while pregnant. Having the vaccine during pregnancy will ensure that any RSV infection should be less severe though.
What are the side effects?
Kiran states that like with most vaccines, the RSV jab can cause some side effects, and shares what to expect.
Side effects may include:
• Irritation around the injection site - this will most likely be the upper arm and is very common
• Mild to moderate pain or tenderness - this should subside within a few days
• Swelling or redness - this should also be mild and around the injection site.
Systemic side effects as the body’s immune system response is activated can include:
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Muscle pain
Allergic reaction may trigger these less common side effects:
• Hives
• Itching
• Swelling
• Anaphylaxis (in severe cases)
Fainting can also occur after a vaccination, as over 60 percent of people experience dizziness, vertigo, nausea, or feeling faint post-jab, says Kiran.
How to manage symptoms
Kiran shares some ways you can minimise discomfort if you're feeling unwell after receiving the RSV vaccine.
• Get enough rest to help your body recover
• Stay hydrated - drinking at least two litres of water daily
• Eat a balanced variety of foods - including protein, fruits and vegetables and wholegrains
If you feel nauseous after the jab, Kiran suggests sticking to more bland foods in smaller quantities like toast, plain rice and potatoes.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers - Ibuprofen and Paracetamol help reduce pain, swelling or fever
• Apply a cold compress to the injection site to reduce any swelling
As with any illness, monitor side effects and if any last longer than two to three days, Kiran advises highlighting them to a medical professional, as it could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
What is RSV?
According to Gov.uk Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus. It generally causes coughs and mild cold symptoms during the winter season, and the NHS says it usually gets better by itself. However, it can be more harmful to infants and older adults with more vulnerable immune systems or chronic medical conditions.
The viral infection is highly contagious, surviving on surfaces or objects for around four to seven hours. Over 60 per cent of children have been infected by their first birthday, and over 80 per cent by two years of age. Babies can also be re-infected with RSV later on in life.
RSV is most prevalent in the winter and spring months and often occurs in yearly outbreaks at schools, nurseries, and other childcare locations.
Who is at risk of RSV?
The NHS says that RSV is very common and that most kids get it at least once before they're 2 years old. They say it's not usually serious. Some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting more ill though.
Those who may be more at risk of getting seriously ill with RSV include:
• Babies under 6 months
• Kids born prematurely
• Adults over 75 years
• Babies, kids and older adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung/heart conditions
It's worth noting that RSV is a common cause of bronchiolitis in babies, which is a type of chest infection that can cause breathing problems and may need to be treated in hospital. RSV can also be the cause of pneumonia in babies and older adults, which is a serious lung infection.
What are the symptoms of RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus presents like a common cold in most mild cases.
Mild symptoms include:
• a runny nose
• coughing
• sneezing
• a fever
• wheezing
• and a decrease in appetite
More severe symptoms may indicate the following:
• bronchiolitis
• pneumonia
• and long-term respiratory illness
The symptoms of RSV bronchiolitis can include:
• runny or blocked nose
• breathing is difficult, fast or noisy (wheezing)
• difficulty feeding
• cough
• fever
• unsettled or difficult to comfort
• tiredness or lethargy
RSV can also cause other conditions in young children such as a barking cough (croup) and a painful infection inside the ear (otitis media).
Proud aunt to her teen niece, Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She has 10 years freelance writing experience creating lifestyle content for various platforms, including pregnancy, women’s health, parenting, child development and child mental health, plus lots of fun seasonal family articles and celebrity news.