RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections. For most adults and children, RSV infection causes a mild illness, such as a cough or cold, which usually gets better on its own. However, for some, especially babies under one year of age and older adults, RSV can be very serious and can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia. At least half of all children have RSV in the first year of life and almost all will have had it by the time they are two.
RSV can occur all year round but is more common during the autumn and winter.
More than 1,000 babies in Wales end up in hospital because of the virus. The number of people going to hospital because of RSV has increased in the last 20 years.
If you have had an RSV infection in the past, it does not mean you cannot get RSV again.
To offer your baby the best protection, you should have your vaccine between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
You should be offered the vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment. If you haven’t heard by this time, contact your midwife or your GP to make an appointment.
The vaccine is more effective between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. If you miss your vaccine, you can have it until your baby is born. However, if you have it later in pregnancy it may not be as effective.
Having the vaccine in every pregnancy will give each baby the best protection against severe RSV illness.
It is important to have your vaccines at the right time in pregnancy.
For information about other vaccines in pregnancy, visit Information about vaccinations in pregnancy
If you missed your RSV vaccination during pregnancy, speak to your midwife as you may still be able to have it following the birth. This will not directly protect your baby, but it may protect you and prevent you from passing RSV on to your baby. If you are breastfeeding, there is no evidence of any risk to the baby caused by having the vaccine.
All medicines and vaccines have passed strict safety standards for use in the UK and are very safe. As with all medicines and vaccines, any reports of side effects are closely monitored and reviewed.
The RSV vaccine is a single dose which is given into the upper arm.
If you would like to learn more about the RSV vaccine, you can read the patient leaflet.
For information about your baby’s first immunisations, visit: phw.nhs.wales/CompleteSchedule
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Vaccine Knowledge Project (ox.ac.uk) (external site)