NHS to roll out long-lasting ‘suit of armour’ jab to protect thousands of premature babies from RSV
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.
The NHS in England is rolling out drug nirsevimab from late September to provide protection against RSV to around 7,000 high-risk infants and babies born before 32 weeks this year, 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. It will be offered seasonally to eligible high-risk infants and young children with complex heart, lung or weakened immune system conditions.
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.
Babies that are born prematurely are three times more likely to need hospital admission due to RSV, and 10 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.
Eligible infants entering their first RSV season – from September to February – will receive the injection under the ongoing care of their specialist neonatal team, or their family will be directed by the clinical team managing their child’s health on how to receive the immunisation ahead of winter.
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. Babies born before 32 weeks, however, have limited or no protection from vaccinations given to pregnant women at the recommended time of around 28 weeks.
John Stewart, Director of Specialised Commissioning at NHS England said: “For babies born very prematurely, the risk of contracting RSV in their first winter is high and extremely serious. This new medication will provide vulnerable infants with their own suit of armour that protects against what can be a life-threatening infection.” More details on NHS England’s website: NHS to roll out long-lasting ‘suit of armour’ jab to protect thousands of premature babies from RSV