New HSE RSV immunisation programme significantly reduces infections, serious illness and hospitalisations in babies

A new HSE RSV immunisation programme has significantly reduced infections, serious illness and hospitalisations amongst babies born in Ireland since September.

In relation to babies born since 1st September when the programme started:

• 41 cases of RSV were notified compared to 656 cases in the same period last year
• 24 babies were hospitalised compared to 413 cases in the same period last year
• 5 babies needed treatment in ICU for RSV infection compared with 64 in the same period last year.

Welcoming the data, Public Health lead for the RSV pathfinder programme at the HSE National Health Protection Office, Dr Augustine Pereira, emphasised that the programme is running throughout the winter months when RSV levels are highest and urged parents of newborn children to continue to get the immunisation when offered it in hospital.  “The programme has hugely reduced the level of illness and in many cases serious illness amongst the youngest and most vulnerable babies,” said Dr Pereira.

HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry said that teams in the maternity units around the country and in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) have worked tirelessly on planning and implementing this programme and thanks to their efforts, so many babies have been protected from illness and the need for hospitalisation so far this winter.  “The very significant reduction in illness and hospitalisations powerfully illustrates the effectiveness of immunisation and vaccine programmes and the protection from serious illness that they provide,” said Dr Henry.

The immunisation – called nirsevimab – is strongly recommended by the HSE and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), for all newborn babies born in Ireland 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.   

All babies born between the 1st September 2024 and 28th February 2025 are eligible for the immunisation.  This new programme protects babies immediately after birth as it is being offered free of charge to all newborns in every maternity hospital in Ireland before they are discharged home.

The programme is initially being rolled out as a ‘pathfinder’ initiative which is designed to explore and establish innovative approaches to improving health outcomes within a community or population. Such programmes often serve as pilots or models that can be scaled up and replicated in other settings.

RSV is a common virus that causes respiratory infections in people of all ages especially the youngest and oldest members of our communities. The risk of severe infection is highest in the youngest infants, especially those born during the RSV season.

Find out more about RSV