Pregnant Women In UK Told To Take Action Ahead Of RSV Season

Pregnant women are being urged to get the RSV vaccine.For years; women, trans and non-binary people have been urged to get the flu and whooping cough vaccines during pregnancy.Last year, a new vaccine was added to the list. But you may not have heard about it. The vaccine is for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). The illness can be very serious for babies, causing lung infections, breathing difficulties and even death, which is why pregnant individuals are urged to get vaccinated.As the NHS explains: “When you have the RSV vaccine in pregnancy, the protection from the vaccine is passed to your baby. This means your baby is less likely to get severe RSV for the first six months after they’re born.”Last winter, Australia saw record numbers of RSV since reporting began. This year, cases had been creeping up again (although they did recently plateau).Australian winter illness levels can help give some indication of how viruses will spread in England when the cooler weather arrives, which is why the NHS’s top midwife is urging people in the UK who are currently pregnant to prioritise getting vaccinated against the virus. What do I need to know?If you’re 28 weeks (or more) pregnant, speak to your maternity service provider or GP about getting booked in for the RSV vaccine. The vaccine can cause some mild side effects like swelling or pain at the injection site, a headache, and an aching body. No side effects have been reported in babies born to mothers who have been vaccinated. Babies born in ‘late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital’Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: “While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. “Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.” Research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has found the RSV vaccine is 72% effective in preventing hospitalisation for newborns whose mothers are vaccinated more than 14 days before delivery.Greta Hayward, consultant midwife at the UK Health Security Agency, said the vaccine boosts the pregnant parent’s immune system “to produce more antibodies against the virus, and these then pass through the placenta to help protect their baby from the day they are born”.RSV season usually starts in October and Hayward said “babies born in late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital”.Typical symptoms are a sore throat, runny nose, cough or fever, drowsiness, problems feeding or drinking, and difficulty breathing (including wheezing).Some children with RSV can go on to develop complications such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. In fact, RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants, accounting for around 60-80% of infections.“Hundreds of babies attend Emergency Departments each day for bronchiolitis through most of November and December,” said Hayward. “That is why it is so important that over the summer pregnant women reaching 28 weeks of pregnancy, ensure they are vaccinated as soon as possible.”Related...Doctors Issue Warning Over Respiratory Virus On The Rise In Under-5s'He Went Downhill Quickly': Why This Mum Wants Every Parent To Know About RSVHad Stomach Issues Since Covid? You're Not Alone

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