HSE urges parents of eligible babies to register for RSV immunisation today

The HSE is again urging parents of babies in Ireland born in the six-month period from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025 to register for the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) immunisation as soon as possible. Every winter RSV infection causes hospitalisations, including some serious illness, especially among young infants.

HSE RSV immunisation clinics have been available in the community since 1 September and will be available until the first week in October. Over 2,000 infants were immunised in the community clinics during their first week of operation. Over 90% of all newborn infants born in Irish hospitals also have been immunised since 1 September.

Dr Éamonn O’Moore, HSE National Director for Health Protection, said, “RSV immunisation is underway in both maternity settings to all babies born in Ireland from 1 September 2025 to 28 February 2026 as well as in the community, available for all babies in Ireland born in the six month period from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025.

“Before the introduction of the programme, each winter, 4 out of every 100 infants were hospitalised due to RSV, with some infants needing special treatment in intensive care units.  A further 50 out of every 100 infants got RSV and many needed medical care from their GP, or the emergency department of a children’s hospital. The programme significantly reduced infections, serious illness and hospitalisations, I would urge parents of all eligible babies to take up the offer this September, ahead of the RSV season which as we have seen in previous years can begin as early as October.”

Parents of babies born from 1 March to 31 August can book an appointment at a local community site on the RSV Immunisation page of the HSE website. Parents of babies born from 1 September to 28 February 2026 will be offered the immunisation in their maternity hospital before they leave.

Dr O’Moore added, “The immunisation– called nirsevimab – is provided free of charge and will protect each baby against RSV throughout the winter. The immunisation is strongly recommended by the HSE and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and has been approved by the European Medicines Agency.  Nirsevimab starts working as soon as the baby receives the injection and protects against RSV for 150 days, covering the very early period in a baby’s life when they are most vulnerable to serious RSV related illness.

“As well as protecting young babies against serious illness, the RSV immunisation programme will help safeguard vital hospital paediatric services during the very busy winter months by limiting preventable admissions caused by RSV related illness.”

RSV is a largely seasonal respiratory illness that can affect any age group but can be particularly impactful on very young children.  RSV is a significant cause of severe respiratory illness among children under two years of age and is also the most common cause of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory illness in young children.  It can cause chest infections like bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) in infants and the risk is highest in children aged less than six months of age.  The RSV immunisation programme is being delivered by trained midwives in all maternity settings after birth and before the baby is discharged and by vaccination teams in the community for children born since 1 March.

Find out more about the HSE RSV immunisation programme