Pregnant women are again being urged to get vaccinated against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to prevent babies and young children being admitted to hospital this winter.
Across London maternity services, more than 1,400 women have had the RSV vaccine since it was first offered at the start of September.
A recent analysis showed that approximately 900 hospital admissions across the capital could be prevented if around 60% of pregnant women get the RSV jab.
London’s Chief Midwife Nina Kazaezadeh said: “RSV is highly contagious and while it causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most cases, it can be serious and even life-threatening to babies and those with a weakened immune system. It is really important that all those who are eligible get the vaccine.
“This winter, the RSV jab could lead to fewer children needing intensive care if around 60% of pregnant women get the vaccine. RSV is one of the main reasons children end up in hospital during the winter. While RSV infections can happen year-round, cases usually spike around December, making it important for those eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible when invited by the NHS. If you’re pregnant, you can talk to your maternity team about getting the vaccine anytime from 28 weeks of pregnancy up until birth. Older people will receive their invitations from their GP”.
Student midwife Yusra Osman shares her personal experience of RSV after her three-month old, developed RSV symptoms and was admitted to hospital.
She said: “Six years ago, my son, just three months old, suddenly developed a high fever. His breathing became fast and laboured, and I noticed his chest caving in and out—something no mother ever wants to see. I wasn’t in healthcare back then, but as a mother, I could tell this wasn’t just a normal cold.
“I quickly called 111, describing his symptoms, and was told to call 999 immediately. Everything after that happened so fast and it’s kind of a blur. By the time we reached the hospital, his oxygen levels were dangerously low and he wouldn’t stop crying. He was admitted immediately, and they put him on oxygen and a feeding tube. It was the scariest moment of my life.
“As a mother, seeing your child so weak and vulnerable is beyond heartbreaking. I was breastfeeding at the time, and I remember not being able to feed him because he was too unwell. Whenever I tried to hold him, he would cry—it felt like he was rejecting me, and that was devastating. I just wanted to comfort him, but instead, I felt helpless.
“Thankfully, those moments now seem like a distant memory. While his bronchiolitis has progressed into childhood asthma, my son is thriving today—he’s strong, generally healthy, and plays football five times a week and even competes in matches every weekend. I’m so incredibly grateful for how far he’s come, but the memory of that terrifying experience never really leaves you.”
