Vaccine halves newborn intensive care admissions - health experts urge all pregnant women to protect their babies against RSV

The number of young babies admitted to intensive care with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has more than halved since a vaccination programme for pregnant women was introduced in 2024.

New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show 63 babies under six months, in England,were admitted to intensive care with confirmed RSV last winter, compared with 131 the previous year.

Uptake of the vaccine among pregnant women in the North East and Yorkshire is already above the national average. Between November 2025 and March 2026, around 65% of women giving birth in the region had received the vaccine during pregnancy, compared with 63% across the rest of the country.

Now health leaders are urging all pregnant women in the North East and North Cumbria to take up the RSV vaccine to give their babies vital protection during their first months of life.

RSV is a common respiratory virus and one of the main causes of bronchiolitis in babies.

For most people it causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can make it difficult for young babies to breathe, feed and, in some cases, leads to hospital treatment or intensive care admission.

The vaccine is offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy. It works by helping the mother produce antibodies against RSV, which pass to the baby, helping protect them from birth. Research has shown maternal RSV vaccination can provide more than 80% protection for newborn babies against hospital admission with the virus.

Ben Anderson, director of population health, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "The latest figures are really encouraging and show the difference this vaccine can make. Seeing intensive care admissions among young babies more than halve since the programme was introduced is a powerful reminder of the protection vaccination during pregnancy can give.

"Uptake in our region is above the national average, which is good news, but we want even more families to benefit. RSV can be particularly serious for very young babies and having the vaccine during pregnancy is a simple way to help protect them from the moment they are born.

"The RSV vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy, even if you have had it during a previous pregnancy and the best time to get it is around 28 weeks of pregnancy – but if you're further along and haven't had it yet, it's not too late. Please speak to your maternity team or GP practice."

Although RSV can circulate throughout the year, infections usually rise during autumn and winter.

Babies born in late summer and autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus, making vaccination particularly important for all women who are pregnant now.

For information on the RSV vaccine and other vaccines recommend during pregnancy including whooping cough and flu, speak to your midwife or find out more at NHS.UK