London: A new study has shown that vaccinating pregnant women against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is linked to a significant drop in hospital admissions among newborns due to the virus. According to research published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, the RSV vaccine introduced across the UK in late summer 2024 has led to a 72 per cent reduction in babies being hospitalised with the infection if their mothers received the vaccine.
The findings are the first to demonstrate real-world effectiveness of the RSV vaccine in pregnant women in the UK. The study was led by researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Leicester and focused on the winter season of 2024-2025, the first full season after the vaccine's rollout.
The research team analysed data from 537 babies admitted to hospitals in England and Scotland with severe respiratory illness. Of these, 391 infants tested positive for RSV. The study found that mothers of babies who did not contract RSV were twice as likely to have been vaccinated during pregnancy compared to mothers of babies who did test positive 41 percent versus 19 percent.
Vaccination timing also played a role. Receiving the vaccine more than 14 days before delivery was associated with a 72 percent drop in RSV-related hospital admissions. Babies whose mothers were vaccinated at any time before delivery still saw a 58 per cent reduction in risk.
RSV is a widespread virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to bronchiolitis, a serious lung infection, particularly in infants. It is the leading infectious cause of baby hospitalisations both in the UK and worldwide. In some cases, RSV can require treatment in intensive care.
Experts say higher uptake of the vaccine could ease winter pressures on hospitals. "Uptake of the jab among pregnant women could help to limit the number of sick babies each winter, reducing hospital pressures," they said.
Health officials recommend pregnant women receive the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy, though it can be administered up to birth. “Experts recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks of pregnancy to provide the best protection, as this allows more time for the mother to generate and pass on protective antibodies to the baby, but the jab can be given up to birth,” the study notes.
(With inputs from IANS)