Pregnant women across Morecambe Bay are taking up the opportunity to receive a ground-breaking new vaccine designed to protect unborn babies against the harmful Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) started its RSV vaccination programme on Tuesday 3 September and within just a couple of days, scores of women had signed up to be vaccinated against the potentially life-threatening virus.
Since accepting referrals for RSV on 19 August UHMBT has had 188 referrals to the vaccination service for RSV, flu and pertussis (whooping cough).
Research with thousands of women across the world who have been vaccinated against RSV shows that it reduces the risk of severe lung infection by around 70% in the first six months of life.
Having the vaccine during pregnancy is the best way to protect a baby from getting seriously ill with RSV, as the vaccine boosts the mother’s immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus to help protect the baby from the day they are born.
Women are having the RSV vaccinations at all three of UHMBT’s main hospitals sites; Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI).
Michelle LittleJohn, Health and Wellbeing Midwife for UHMBT, said: “We are seeing a massive take-up of the RSV vaccine at our Trust which is fantastic.
“Women inform us they are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to access RSV vaccination via maternity services and we are happy to be able to support them with this. The RSV vaccine offer in pregnancy first started across England on 1 September 2024.
“One of the reasons for the good take-up at our Trust is that our Community Midwives and Maternity Staff do a brilliant job informing women about the vaccines offered through the Health and Wellbeing Team. It is so important to have these conversations so that women are able to make an informed choice. It’s a great team effort.”
Nicola Bickerdike, Public Health Nurse for UHMBT with a background in special care baby nursing, said: “RSV is one of the main causes of bronchiolitis and can cause babies to become seriously ill.
“In the winter months we see an increase of babies with RSV and bronchiolitis. Pregnant women who are aware of how serious bronchiolitis can be, have been especially keen to have the vaccination.
“Women can have their flu vaccine and RSV vaccine at the same appointment.”
Michelle said: “We are lucky to have a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Team supporting a maternity-led vaccination offer and we are seeing an increase in take-up as a result of this.”
The RSV vaccine can be given from 28 weeks, the whooping cough (pertussis) from 16 weeks and the flu vaccine at any time.
At Morecambe Bay women have various routes for having their RSV vaccination, including through their midwife, GP or by self-referral with a QR code. Drop-in clinics will also be advertised in the coming weeks.
Pregnant women at UHMBT have access to their Electronic Patient Record (EPR) via an online system called ‘Badgernet’ and can receive notifications about when and where RSV vaccination clinics are open.
As part of winter preparations, the NHS is also vaccinating people who are 75 years old or older. There will be a one-off ‘catch-up’ offer for everyone aged 75 to 79 years old to ensure the older age group are protected as the winter months approach.
RSV cases in children have been increasing in the past couple of years, with an average of 146 young children in hospital each day at the peak in winter last year, up 11% on the peak observed during the previous winter.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said: “Sadly my grandson caught RSV just days after he was born. It led to weeks in intensive care and left him with long-lasting health issues. RSV is preventable, and it is crucial that we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. I strongly urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and secure the future health of your children and loved ones.”
Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for NHS England, said: “Vaccination is a vital means of protecting babies, women and families, as well as helping to manage increased pressures on NHS capacity during the winter period. I would like to thank all those who have been working to make this ground-breaking vaccine rollout a reality.”
In Morecambe Bay, women can speak to their Community Midwife, hospital team or GP about receiving the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks to at any point up to birth. Older adults will be invited by their local GP practice.
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Notes for editors:
Photo caption: Michelle Littlejohn and Nicola Bickerdike at a vaccination clinic at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
As advised by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the RSV vaccine has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and the USA. Many thousands of women have had the vaccine in other countries, including more than 100,000 women in the USA.
A recent study in the Lancet showed that the new programme could prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 A&E attendances for infants – a critical, life-saving step forward to help front line staff prepare for increased winter pressures. The same modelling suggests that the first season of the older adult’s catch-up programme could prevent around 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 RSV illnesses in adults in the older age group.
For any queries about this press release, please email: communications.team@mbht.nhs.uk