Pregnancy vaccine reduces baby hospital admissions for RSV by 80%

A vaccine administered during pregnancy aimed at protecting newborns from severe chest infections has been shown to reduce hospital admissions for babies by over 80%, according to UK health officials. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which frequently affects infants in their first months of life, can cause serious breathing difficulties and feeding problems. Annually, more than 20,000 babies in the UK are hospitalized due to severe RSV infections.

Introduced in 2024, the vaccine is offered to pregnant women starting from 28 weeks of gestation to safeguard their infants at birth. Research conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals that this vaccine provides outstanding protection during the period when babies are particularly vulnerable to RSV. The virus is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among infants under one year old. About half of all newborns contract RSV, which can range from causing mild cold symptoms to critical lung infections. In some cases, the infection proves fatal.

Dr. Conall Watson, the national programme lead for RSV at UKHSA, explained how severe RSV infections visibly impact babies’ breathing efforts. “In babies with bad infections you can see their chest and lungs struggling, as they try to pull enough oxygen in,” he said. He added, “This is very, very frightening as a parent, frightening with good reason.” The vaccine enables newborns to be protected immediately after birth, with the study indicating protection of nearly 85% if the vaccination occurs at least four weeks before delivery. Even administering the vaccine closer to the birth date can still offer some level of defense, with a minimum two-week gap found beneficial for early arrivals.

The analysis reviewed nearly 300,000 births in England between September 2024 and March 2025, representing about 90% of all births during that period. Over 4,500 babies were admitted to hospital with RSV-related illness, the majority being infants whose mothers had not received the vaccine. One notable case is that of Malachi, a 12-year-old who contracted RSV before the vaccine was available. His mother, Laine Lewis, recounted how her son developed a cold that worsened to the point he required oxygen and later suffered brain damage after stopping breathing. While she emphasized that Malachi’s experience is extremely rare, she strongly encourages pregnant women to get vaccinated to help protect their children.

Dr. Watson highlighted how important the vaccine could be in safeguarding infants throughout winter months. “I would strongly encourage any pregnant woman to discuss it with their midwife, other health professionals, and be ready to have the vaccine at their week 28 appointment, or another vaccine appointment arranged soon after that,” he advised. Currently, about 64% of pregnant women in England have received the RSV vaccine, though uptake is lower in London at 53%. Elderly adults aged 75 and over, or those living in care homes, are also offered the RSV vaccine across the UK

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