RSV Shots during Pregnancy Cut Baby Hospitalisations by 72%: Study
As a parent, there is nothing more worrying than seeing your newborn child suffer from a serious illness. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can cause severe bronchiolitis, a serious lung infection that requires hospitalization. However, a new study has found that vaccinating pregnant women against RSV can reduce newborn hospitalizations for severe lung infections by a staggering 72%.
The study, conducted by researchers in the UK, analyzed data from over 1,500 pregnant women who received the RSV vaccine and compared it to a control group of women who did not receive the vaccine. The results are nothing short of remarkable, with the vaccine showing significant protection against RSV-related hospitalizations in newborns.
But what makes this study even more significant is the timing of the vaccine administration. The researchers found that the earlier in pregnancy the jab is given, the stronger the protection. This is crucial information for pregnant women, as it gives them a clear timeline for when to get vaccinated.
The vaccine was introduced across the UK in 2024, and since then, healthcare providers have been urging pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect their newborns. The study’s findings provide further evidence of the vaccine’s effectiveness and are likely to increase vaccination rates among pregnant women.
RSV is a common virus that affects most children by the time they are two years old. While most cases of RSV are mild, it can cause severe bronchiolitis, a serious lung infection that can lead to hospitalization. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), RSV is responsible for an estimated 33 million cases of severe lower respiratory tract illness in children under five years old each year, resulting in approximately 3.4 million hospitalizations and 160,000 deaths.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Sarah Walker, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Oxford, emphasized the importance of the vaccine in protecting newborns. “This vaccine has the potential to significantly reduce the number of hospitalizations and serious illnesses in newborn babies,” she said. “It’s a game-changer for parents-to-be and healthcare providers alike.”
The vaccine is a booster shot that is given to pregnant women during their second or third trimester. The study found that the vaccine was effective in protecting newborns, regardless of their age or gestational age at the time of birth. The researchers also noted that the vaccine was well-tolerated by pregnant women, with minimal side effects reported.
The findings of this study are a significant breakthrough in the fight against RSV, a virus that has long been a major cause of concern for parents and healthcare providers. The vaccine offers a safe and effective way to protect newborns from severe lung infections, and its introduction has the potential to save thousands of lives each year.
In conclusion, the study’s findings are a welcome development in the fight against RSV. The vaccine is a powerful tool in protecting newborns, and its introduction has the potential to significantly reduce hospitalizations and serious illnesses in this vulnerable population. Pregnant women and healthcare providers alike should take note of the study’s findings and take advantage of the vaccine to protect newborns.
Source:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034025.htm
