About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common infection that affects the airways and lungs. It often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:
- a cough
- a sore throat
- sneezing
- a runny or blocked nose
It can also cause:
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- pneumonia
In babies, it can lead to bronchiolitis.
RSV is common in young children, but it can be serious for babies and older adults. In the UK, RSV causes around 40,000 hospital admissions and between 20 and 30 infant deaths each year. Vaccination can help prevent hospital admissions and reduce pressure on health services during winter.
About the vaccine
Most older adults will have had RSV before. A single dose of the vaccine boosts your protection at a time when the risk of serious illness from RSV is higher.
The vaccine helps your immune system produce antibodies against RSV. During pregnancy, these antibodies pass to your baby through the placenta and help protect them from birth.
The vaccine reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis in babies by around 70% during their first 6 months of life.
The vaccine is given as a single injection in your upper arm. One dose is expected to provide protection for several years.
You may have mild side effects for a day or 2 after vaccination, including:
- a headache
- muscle aches
- pain, redness or swelling where the injection was given
Who can get the vaccine
The RSV vaccine is available to:
- people aged 75 and over
- people aged 65 to 74 with a weakened immune system or a long-term lung condition, excluding well-controlled asthma (from 1 September 2026)
- people living in care homes for older adults, including residents under 75
These groups have a higher risk of serious illness from RSV. Research has shown that people with well-controlled asthma have a lower risk than people with some other lung conditions.
The vaccine is also available to pregnant women from around 28 weeks of pregnancy.
No vaccine is 100% effective. If you get RSV after vaccination, your symptoms are likely to be less severe.
To get the vaccine, contact your GP surgery to book an appointment. The vaccine is free, but your surgery may charge an administration fee.
RSV vaccine during pregnancy
RSV can cause bronchiolitis, a lung infection that can make it difficult for babies to breathe and feed. Some babies need hospital treatment, and a small number die from the infection.
Babies are more at risk if they:
- are very young
- were born prematurely
- have a heart condition
- have a breathing condition
- have a weakened immune system
Having the vaccine during pregnancy helps your body produce antibodies. These antibodies pass to your baby before birth and help protect them from RSV after they are born.
When to have the vaccine during pregnancy
You should be offered the vaccine at around your 28-week antenatal appointment. Having it at 28 weeks, or as soon as possible afterwards, gives your body time to build antibodies before your baby is born.
You can still have the vaccine later in pregnancy, including right up until birth, although it may be less effective.
The vaccine used is ABRYSVO®.
You should have the vaccine during each pregnancy to help protect each baby.
How effective is the vaccine during pregnancy
Studies show that vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis in babies by around 70% during the first 6 months of life.
Some babies may still get RSV, but the infection is likely to be less severe.
How safe the vaccine is during pregnancy
The vaccine has been tested in a clinical trial involving almost 4,000 pregnant women and has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and the USA. It has since been given to many thousands of pregnant women.
In the clinical trial, slightly more babies were born early in the vaccinated group. Evidence suggests this difference was due to chance. This is one reason the vaccine is offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy rather than earlier.
For most people, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of RSV infection for both mother and baby.
Have the RSV vaccine during pregnancy to help protect your baby during their first 6 months of life.
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