Portlaoise Hospital offering new immunisation programme to protect newborn babies against RSV

A new HSE immunisation programme to protect newborn babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is now available in Portlaoise Hospital.

Babies born between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025 will be offered a new monoclonal antibody immunisation, which, according to the HSE, is the best way to protect against RSV.

The Director of the HSE National Health Protection Office Dr Éamonn O’Moore said that RSV is a common virus that causes respiratory infections in young babies and the risk of severe infection is highest in the youngest infants, especially those born during the RSV season.

He said: “This is why we are offering the immunisation to those born between September 2024 and February 2025 which corresponds to the time of the year when RSV is circulating. Each winter in Ireland one in two newborn babies will get RSV and many will need medical care from their GP or the emergency department of a children’s hospital. Four out of a 100 newborn babies are hospitalised due to RSV, with some babies needing special treatment in intensive care units.

“The immunisation – nirsevimab – is strongly recommended by the HSE and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), for all infants 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.’’ Dr Moore added: 

“The programme is initially being rolled out as a ‘path finder’ 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.” 

Director of Midwifery at Portlaoise Hospital Ita Kinsella said: “This new programme will protect babies immediately after birth as it is being offered free of charge to all newborns in the hospital before they are discharged home. I would urge parents of all babies born in this period to take up the offer.” Consultant Paediatrician in Portlaoise Hospital Dr Paul Gallagher said: “RSV immunisation protects your baby against RSV infection and reduces the risk of your baby needing hospital treatment by 80%. Nirsevimab has been proven to be safe and very effective at preventing RSV infection.” 

The HSE said that 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. Based on evidence from a similar programme implemented in Spain, it is estimated that the infant RSV programme in Ireland will lead to the avoidance of up to 453 hospitalisations and up to 48 ICU admissions.

Further information on the HSE RSV immunisation programme is available at this link.