Protect your baby this winter with free RSV immunisation

• Newborn babies born from 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027 can receive RSV immunisation in the maternity hospital before going home and babies born from 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2026 can receive immunisation from participating GPs across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary
• More than 1,000 serious RSV-related healthcare cases estimated to have been averted nationwide through last winter’s programme nationwide.

Parents in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary are being encouraged to protect their babies against RSV this winter as the 2026-2027 RSV Infant Immunisation Programme gets underway.ing to protect them from serious illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Who will be offered RSV immunisation?

For the 2026-2027 programme:

• Babies born between 1 September 2026 and 28 February 2027 will be offered RSV immunisation in maternity hospitals before they go home, where possible.
• Babies born between 1 March and 31 August 2026 can receive RSV immunisation through participating GP practices.
• Some high risk babies under 24 months can be referred by a paediatrician to the HSE vaccination team for immunisation

Dr Breda Cosgrove, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Public Health HSE Mid West said:

Prof Roy Philip, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, University Maternity Hospital Limerick said:

“We’ve seen the positive impact of RSV immunisation in Ireland over the last two years, helping to reduce the number of babies presenting with RSV infection and needing hospitalisation. International evidence shows that the current immunisation is safe and is over 80% effective in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections. We have been pleased to have some of the highest uptake rates in the country in the Mid-West region during previous campaigns and we want to continue that high uptake and protection rate going into this winter.”

Last winter, across the country, more than 37,000 infants were immunised against RSV. 88% of babies born September to February received the immunisation in maternity hospitals, with UMHL achieving an uptake of >90%.

The programme reduced RSV-related hospitalisations by 70% among babies born during the RSV season. Across both eligible groups, infant immunisation is estimated to have prevented over 1,000 ED attendances, hospitalisations and ICU admissions, significantly reducing the amount of RSV illness among infants in Ireland.

Dooradoyle-based GP Dr Ken Cahill added:

“We would encourage parents of babies who were born between March and August to take up the offer through participating GP practices ideally before the RSV season. RSV immunisation can be given safely alongside routine childhood vaccines, meaning parents do not need to delay their baby’s scheduled vaccinations. Parents who have questions about RSV immunisation should speak to their healthcare professional, who can provide trusted information and advice.”

RSV is a common and highly contagious winter virus. While it usually causes mild respiratory illness, it can cause serious illness in babies and young children, particularly during their first winter.

RSV immunisation is provided through a single dose of nirsevimab, which gives babies immediate protection during the RSV season and helps protect against severe RSV infection and hospitalisation.

For more information about RSV immunisation and eligibility, visit HSE.ie/RSV.

Background

1. The HSE is building on last winter’s very successful RSV immunisation programme which was delivered to newborn babies in maternity settings and higher risk babies in the community. The programme significantly reduced infections, serious illness and hospitalisations. Headline statistics from HPSC evaluation for the 2025/2026 programme found high uptake across eligible groups, including 88% among babies offered immunisation in maternity hospitals and 100% among eligible high-risk infants referred by their paediatrician. The programme was also associated with substantial reductions in RSV-related Emergency Department presentations, hospitalisations and ICU admissions
   • More than 550 ED presentations averted
   • More than 450 hospitalisations (non-ICU) averted
   • More than 40 ICU admissions averted
   • More than 40 ICU admissions averted
   • Around 1,700 hospital bed days (non-ICU) averted
   • Around 300 ICU bed days averted

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