THOUSANDS of Brits are being urged to take up a jab that protects against a sometimes deadly “cold-like” virus.
The vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is offered to pregnant mum’s to protect unborn babies from the disease expected to surge in the coming months.
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RSV is a common infection, which in the majority of people, just causes mild, flu-like symptoms, similar to the common cold.
It can, on occasion, lead to chest infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in newborns and the elderly.
Each year it kills around 8,000 people in the UK and hospitalises tens of thousands more.
Experts think the UK should brace for a surge this autumn, when the disease typically rears its head, following a record number of cases in Australia.
NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England.
And following a surge in cases number of RSV cases in Australia, officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025.
NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the RSV vaccine to protect their babies, as the virus is a leading cause of infant deaths and the top reason for hospital admissions in young children.
Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: “While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation.
“Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.”
Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery.
Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks.
Last week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine, which was first rolled out in summer 2024.
It said that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72 per cent of hospital admissions for their babies.
The antibodies the mums produce in response to the jab are passed to their babies in the womb, protecting them for the first six months after being born.
And the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, UKHSA said.
Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September – with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk.
It will protect them against RSV which is even more serious in high-risk infants.
Around 7,000 babies will be eligible and get about 80 per cent protection for six months from a single injection.
The previous weekly treatment was only 55 per cent effective.
Symptoms of RSV
PEOPLE commonly show symptoms of the virus four to six days after being infected.
Signs include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
But symptoms can be much more subtle in very young babies, including irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties.
Most children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.
It can cause a condition called bronchiolitis in babies and young children.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis in very young infants include:
- Refusal to breastfeed or bottle-feed
- Breathing more quickly and noisily (wheezing)
- Seeming very tired, upset or inactive
- Signs of dehydration – lack of tears when crying, little or no urine in their nappy for six hours, and cool, dry skin
Source: CDC, Asthma + Lung UK
