Maternal RSV Vaccine Cuts Infant Hospitalizations by 72 Percent: Study Finds - Video

Vaccinating pregnant women against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has led to a significant drop in newborn hospital admissions for severe lung infections, according to a new study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

RSV is a widespread virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms but can lead to serious conditions such as bronchiolitis in infants. It remains the leading infectious cause of baby hospitalisations in the UK and globally. Protection during early infancy is critical, especially as RSV can result in intensive care admissions for the youngest patients.

The research assessed the real-world effectiveness of the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. The team studied 537 babies admitted to hospitals across England and Scotland during the 2024-2025 RSV season. Of these, 391 tested positive for RSV. The analysis revealed that mothers of RSV-negative babies were more than twice as likely to have received the vaccine before delivery compared to mothers of RSV-positive babies 41% versus 19%.

Further findings showed that when the vaccine was administered more than 14 days before delivery, it provided a 72% reduction in hospital admissions. Even when given at any time before birth, the vaccine still conferred a 58% protective effect. Experts recommend vaccination from 28 weeks of pregnancy to ensure optimal transfer of protective antibodies to the baby, although the jab can be safely administered up to birth.

The study underscores the vaccine’s potential as a key public health tool in reducing the burden of RSV in infants.

Dr Thomas Williams, study lead from the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Regeneration and Repair, and Paediatric Consultant at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, said: “With the availability of an effective RSV vaccine shown to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation in young infants in the UK, there is an excellent opportunity for pregnant women to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their infants from RSV bronchiolitis this coming winter.”

Reference: Bivalent prefusion F vaccination in pregnancy and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in infants in the UK: results of a multicentre, test-negative, case-control study, Williams, Thomas CMiddleton, Catriona M et al., The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Volume 0, Issue 0