All babies under six months will be offered life-saving RSV jab from September
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said immunisation will be offered to all babies under six months old on September 1, as protection before the anticipated winter rise in infection with RSV, which can leave very young children extremely ill and trigger a surge in hospitalisations.
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Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
All babies under six months will be offered life-saving RSV jab from September
Children up to six months old are to be offered a jab to protect against the potentially deadly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from the beginning of next month, expanding the offer beyond newborn babies.
RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Babies up to six months offered RSV immunisation for winter
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has announced that an RSV immunisation programme will run throughout the forthcoming winter months and will be available to newborns and babies aged up to six months old. The immunisation will be offered in maternity hospitals to all babies born between 1 September this year and 28 February next year. It will also be available to babies aged less than six months old on 1 September, to offer them protection ahead of the expected seasonal upsurge in infection with RSV in the coming months. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a common virus that causes coughs and colds. The HSE says almost all children get the virus by the time they are two years old, adding that it is the main cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in very young children. Most symptoms are mild, such as a runny nose, coughing and sneezing and recovery usually lasts two to three weeks without treatment or the need to see a GP. However, four in every 100 newborn babies are hospitalised due to RSV each winter, with some needing special treatment in intensive care units. Almost 22,500 infants were immunised against RSV last year with an uptake rate of approximately 83% overall. There was an estimated 65% reduction in the number of RSV cases throughout the winter season when compared with 2023-2024, the Department of Health said. Minister Carroll MacNeill said there was an estimated 57% reduction in emergency department presentations, 76% reduction in hospitalisations and a 65% reduction in ICU admissions for RSV-related illnesses last year. "For new parents, knowing their baby is protected against a potentially serious illness has brought immense reassurance," she said. She encouraged all parents to "take up this opportunity to safeguard their child's health". The RSV immunisation programme uses the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab, which the HSE says is not the same as a vaccine. While vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, nirsevimab gives the antibodies directly to the immunised individual. "Nirsevimab works straight away so your baby is protected as soon as they get immunised," the HSE says. Nirsevimab is safe and it is more than 80% effective at protecting babies from hospitalisation due to complications of RSV infection, the HSE says. It protects newborns against RSV for 150 days and protects them when their risk of severe infection is high.
The Journal
17 hours ago
- The Journal
Children up to six months to be offered RSV vaccine in effort to reduce infections this winter
CHILDREN UP TO six months old will be provided with an Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine as part of an expanded immunisation programme this winter. The immunisation will be offered in maternity hospitals to all babies born between 1 September 2025 and 28 February 2026. It will also be available to babies who are aged less than six months old on 1 September, to offer them protection ahead of the seasonal upsurge in infection with RSV. RSV is a common virus that causes coughs and colds. The HSE only gave the jab to newborns in maternity hospitals until now. Last year, almost 22,500 infants were immunised with Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody, with an uptake rate of around 83% overall. Advertisement As a result, the HSE says last winter there was an estimated 57% reduction in Emergency Department presentations, a 76% reduction in hospitalisations and a 65% reduction in ICU admissions compared to the previous year. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said this significant decline highlights just how effective the immunisation has been in protecting people. 'For new parents, knowing their baby is protected against a potentially serious illness has brought immense reassurance. 'I want to sincerely thank the dedicated teams across the Health Service Executive who made this success possible,' the minister said. 'I encourage all parents to take up this opportunity to safeguard their child's health. High uptake not only protects individual families it also eases pressure on our health service, allowing resources to be directed where they're needed most.' Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Ellen Crushell said Paediatricians have described Nirsevimab as a 'gamechanger'. Immunisations will be administered from 1 September in maternity hospitals and in clinics nationwide. The Department of Health said further details of immunisation clinics and how to book appointments will be announced in the coming days. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
