Publish date: 9 September 2024
A Blackpool public health midwife has supported the NHS’ roll-out of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant women and older people.
Pregnant women from 28 weeks onwards and older people turning 75 across England will be routinely vaccinated against the virus for the first time from September 2024.
It is estimated that the RSV vaccine could prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 emergency department attendances for infants each year across England. Previous studies have shown that giving pregnant women the RSV vaccine reduces the risk of babies experiencing severe lung infections in the first six months of life by about 70%.
RSV can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis that can make it difficult for babies to breathe and feed.
Charlotte Winder, the public health midwife for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, fully supports the roll out. She said: “RSV infections can occur all year round, cases usually peak in winter, so it’s important that those eligible take up the offer as soon as possible this autumn when offered.
“It is a very common virus, and most children will have had it by the time they are two, for some children though this means hospitalisation. This is why this vaccine is so important.
“The team here at Blackpool are running a weekly drop-in clinic for our pregnant women to come in and get vaccinated at a time that suits them.”
Pregnant women across the Fylde coast will be offered the opportunity to have the vaccine by their community midwife. If anyone is concerned or has any questions the team is encouraging people to speak to their community midwife or GP in the first instance.
More information about Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is available on the NHS website including symptoms, and how to prevent it spreading.
