Latest news with #RSV
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
NHS to roll out new vital jab for premature babies
The NHS in England will roll out a new jab, nirsevimab, this autumn to protect premature babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). From late September, the single-dose injection will be offered to infants born before 32 weeks, providing six months of protection and replacing previous monthly injections. Experts anticipate the drug will offer a 'protective bubble' for thousands of vulnerable infants, significantly reducing their risk of severe illness and hospitalisation from RSV. Approximately 9,000 babies across the UK, including those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are expected to benefit from this new immunisation programme. Trial data indicates nirsevimab offers over 80 per cent protection against RSV, a common virus responsible for around 30,000 hospital admissions and 30 deaths among youngsters in the UK annually.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots babies to get ‘suit of armour' jab to fight deadly winter virus
NHS Scotland will offer the new drug to protect babies born before 32 weeks against respiratory syncytial virus. Thousands of premature babies across Scotland are set to be shielded from common virus with a new single-dose jab being rolled out on the NHS. From this autumn, NHS Scotland will offer nirsevimab - described by doctors as a 'protective bubble' - to babies born before 32 weeks, helping to guard against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds and usually gets better by itself, but can cause severe illness for babies and older adults. It is estimated around 30,000 youngsters are admitted to hospital with the virus every year in the UK, with about 30 babies dying. The long lasting jab will give Scotland's most at-risk babies up to six months of protection and replaces the previous treatment palivizumab, which required monthly injections. Dr Claire Fuller, co-national medical director for NHS England said: 'This injection will provide premature babies with a protective bubble against RSV just in time for the colder months. 'It will offer a long-lasting defence helping to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and serious illness – giving babies the best possible start in life and shielding them from harm.' Scotland will join health systems in Wales, Northern Ireland and England in offering nirsevimab from late September, with an estimated 9,000 babies across the UK expected to benefit. NHS England said premature babies are three times more likely to be hospitalised with RSV and ten times more likely to need intensive care than those born full-term. John Stewart, director of specialised commissioning at NHS England said: 'For babies born very prematurely, the risk of contracting RSV in their first winter is high and extremely serious. 'This new medication will provide vulnerable infants with their own suit of armour that protects against what can be a life-threatening infection.' Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: 'By rolling out nirsevimab this September, we're ensuring that our most at-risk infants, including those who are born too early to benefit from maternal vaccination, are protected in the best possible way.' John Stewart, director of specialised commissioning at NHS England, said: 'For babies born very prematurely, the risk of contracting RSV in their first winter is high and extremely serious. This new medication will provide vulnerable infants with their own suit of armour.' Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: 'Having an RSV vaccine from week 28 in every pregnancy is key to protecting your baby against RSV bronchiolitis. Most RSV hospital admissions in babies can be prevented by vaccination. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'This new NHS nirsevimab immunisation programme will offer really important protection for very premature babies born before they can be protected by mum's antenatal vaccination.' Since September 2024, pregnant women have been eligible for an RSV jab from 28 weeks onwards to boost their immune system and pass antibodies to their unborn babies to protect them in the first weeks of life. However, this new drug works differently to the jab, as premature babies born before 32 weeks have limited or no protection given from the vaccinations recommended for pregnant women. Trial data shows nirsevimab offers more than 80% protection against RSV compared to about 55% with palivizumab, NHS England said. Nirsevimab will also be offered on a seasonal basis to babies and young children with weakened immune systems or complex heart and lung conditions.
ITV News
8 hours ago
- Health
- ITV News
RSV vaccine to be offered to vulnerable babies in Northern Ireland
Premature babies are soon to be offered a vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Pregnant women in Northern Ireland have been offered access to the vaccination from 28 weeks since September 2024. The new roll-out will aim to protect babies born prematurely, too early to benefit from the vaccination that was given to their mother. The Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has encouraged parents and guardians of those eligible to get the injection in order to protect their baby from illness. RSV can lead to a severe lung infection called bronchiolitis, which is dangerous in babies and can result in them being admitted to intensive is the main infectious cause of hospitalisation for babies in the UK and globally. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: 'The risk of contracting RSV for children born very prematurely in their first winter is extremely serious and has a significant impact on our health service each year. My Department has approved using this new vaccine in line with the approach being taken across the other UK nations.'This innovative vaccine further strengthens our winter preparedness to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce pressures on GPs and Emergency Departments. It follows on from the launch of an RSV vaccination programme for pregnant women and adults aged 75-79 years old last year.'I would encourage parents and guardians of those eligible to avail of the vaccination to help protect their baby from illness.'Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said: 'RSV is a potentially serious virus, particularly for very young babies. Vaccinations have been extremely effective in eradicating diseases and protecting children and other vulnerable groups from serious illness and death.'Worryingly, we are now seeing a decline in the uptake of childhood immunisations. Vaccinations offer children the very best start in life. Quite simply, if children aren't vaccinated, they're not protected.' The new programme is expected to come into effect in autumn 2025.
STV News
9 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
Premature babies to be given new RSV vaccine
Premature babies can be given a new vaccine against a potentially life-threatening infection from later this year, the Scottish Government has confirmed. Public health minister Jenni Minto said the jab will be available for babies born before 32 weeks to protect them against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) over the winter period. Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September – with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk. The move comes after advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Minto said RSV 'can be life-threatening to babies born very early'. She added: 'That is why I am pleased the single jab will be offered by all NHS boards across Scotland from this September, helping to protect these high-risk infants over winter. 'We will continue to work hard to protect Scotland's most vulnerable groups against the respiratory illnesses which circulate throughout the colder months. 'Our various prevention programmes help reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and therefore the pressure on our NHS.' RSV can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and the lung infection bronchiolitis in babies. The new vaccine comes after Scotland was the first nation in the UK to introduce another RSV jab, Abrysvo, for pregnant women and older adults last August. More than 70% of eligible older adults were given Abrysvo, with a study by Public Health Scotland, which was published in the Lancet, showing a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations amongst this group. Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of vaccination and immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said: 'The last year has seen significant progress in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV, including the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine which is offered at 28 weeks of pregnancy and helps protect newborn babies from serious illness. 'Babies born prematurely are at highest risk of serious complications from RSV and we welcome this programme expansion, which will help to ensure that even more babies are protected during their most vulnerable early months.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
RSV vaccine to be offered to premature babies in NI from autumn, health officials announce
Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride said it will strengthen protection against the potentially serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds and infections are very common. Almost all children get them at least once before they are two years old. They're not usually serious, but some babies and adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, including babies under six months old and young children who were born prematurely, according to the NHS. An RSV vaccine has been available to pregnant women here since last September and is offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now, a long-acting injection will be offered for eligible children from this autumn, the Department of Health said. Nirsevimab will replace the current jab, Palivizumab, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in February 2023. It offers over 80% protection against the virus and is administered as a single injection that provides protection right through an RSV season – from September to February each year. Kneecap to face no further action from police after Glastonbury performance Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: 'The risk of contracting RSV for children born very prematurely in their first winter is extremely serious and has a significant impact on our health service each year. 'My department has approved using this new vaccine in line with the approach being taken across the other UK nations. 'This innovative vaccine further strengthens our winter preparedness to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce pressures on GPs and emergency departments. 'It follows on from the launch of an RSV vaccination programme for pregnant women and adults aged 75-79 years old last year. 'I would encourage parents and guardians of those eligible to avail of the vaccination to help protect their baby from illness.' Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride said: 'RSV is a potentially serious virus, particularly for very young babies. 'Vaccinations have been extremely effective in eradicating diseases and protecting children and other vulnerable groups from serious illness and death. 'Worryingly, we are now seeing a decline in the uptake of childhood immunisations. Vaccinations offer children the very best start in life. Quite simply, if children aren't vaccinated, they're not protected.'
