Thousands of premature babies at risk of life-threatening infection can now be protected against the common respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter, with a single long-lasting injection available on the NHS for the first time.
All health services in the UK are rolling out drug nirsevimab to high-risk infants and babies, helping hundreds of the most vulnerable infants avoid hospitalisation.
Nirsevimab, which offers six months’ protection in a single dose, will replace monthly injections of palivizumab previously offered to a smaller number of vulnerable babies.
According to clinical trial data, palivizumab provides around 55% protection while nirsevimab offers more than 80% protection against the virus.
RSV infects 90% of children by the age of two and is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation – it can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, a lung infection.
Data shows that babies born prematurely are three times more likely to need hospital admission due to RSV, and ten times more likely to need intensive care, compared to full-term babies.
Unlike a vaccine, nirsevimab provides infants with ready-made immune protection that helps to create a barrier to RSV infecting their cells.
NHS England estimates that if 95% of eligible infants receive nirsevimab, there could be nearly 350 fewer hospital admissions, including in paediatric intensive care units, this year.
Dr Claire Fuller, Co-National Medical Director for NHS England said
This injection will provide premature babies with a protective bubble against RSV just in time for the colder months.
It will offer a long-lasting defence helping to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and serious illness – giving babies the best possible start in life and shielding them from harm.
In the UK, every year around 30,000 children under the age of five are hospitalised with RSV, and it causes around 30 infant deaths.
This drug works differently to the RSV vaccine offered to pregnant women – vaccination boosts the mother’s immune system to make extra protective antibodies which are passed to the baby in the womb, giving protection from birth. However, babies born before 32 weeks have limited or no protection from vaccinations given to pregnant women at the recommended time of around 28 weeks.
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said
We are following the advice of the JCVI to offer this new treatment to babies who are at greater risk of harm during the RSV season.
This will mean they will only need one dose, instead of multiple doses and it will protect them for longer.
This is part of our efforts to prepare the NHS in Wales for winter and protect those who are most at risk.
Minister for Public Health and Women's Health in the Scottish Parliament, Jenni Minto said
RSV can be life-threatening to babies born very early.
That is why I am pleased the single jab will be offered by all NHS Boards across Scotland from this September, helping to protect these high-risk infants over winter.
We will continue to work hard to protect Scotland’s most vulnerable groups against the respiratory illnesses which circulate throughout the colder months. Our various prevention programmes help reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and therefore the pressure on our NHS.
Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Professor Sir Michael McBride said
RSV is a potentially serious virus, particularly for very young babies. Vaccinations have been extremely effective in eradicating diseases and protecting children and other vulnerable groups from serious illness and death.
Worryingly, we are now seeing a decline in the uptake of childhood immunisations. Vaccinations offer children the very best start in life. Quite simply, if children aren’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.
For more information by country, please read the original press releases:
- NHS England press release
- NHS Wales press release
- Scottish Government press release
- Northern Ireland's Department of Health's press release
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