Overview

• A UK study of 537 hospitalised infants in winter 2024–25 found maternal RSV vaccination reduced RSV admissions by 72% when given more than 14 days before delivery
• Antibodies generated by vaccinated mothers transfer to fetuses and protect newborns for the first six months of life
• Vaccine uptake among eligible pregnant women remains around 50%, risking persistent seasonal pressure on paediatric wards
• From late September 2025, NHS England will offer a single-dose nirsevimab antibody to infants born before 32 weeks, providing over 80% protection for six months
• Nirsevimab will replace monthly palivizumab for high-risk babies and align with NHS long-term RSV prevention plans to alleviate winter healthcare burdens