You can now protect your new born baby against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). 

  

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes respiratory infection in children and adults.

Babies under three months old get sicker with RSV than older children.

 

Each winter in Ireland

 

·        1 in 2 newborn babies will get RSV and many will need medical care from their GP or the emergency department.

·        4 out of 100 new born babies are hospitalised due to RSV, with some needing special treatment in intensive care units

·       

An immunisation called nirsevimab is being recommended for your baby. This will protect your baby from severe RSV infection over the coming months.

You will be offered the free RSV immunisation for your baby before you go home from the maternity hospital, if they are born between September 2024 and February 2025.

 

Nirsevimab is very effective and prevents more than 80% of RSV hospitalisations.

It protects your newborn against RSV for 150 days. It protects them when their risk of severe infection is high.

As babies get older, their risk of severe RSV becomes lower.

Nirsevimab is a single injection into the baby’s thigh muscle.

 

Your doctor or midwife will answer any queries you may have.