Laine Lewis’s son Malachi was 12 years old in April 2026 when his mother reflected on how a common infant cold led to severe brain damage from RSV.
The vaccine that could have prevented his illness was not available when Malachi was born. He developed symptoms at six weeks old that worsened rapidly, requiring hospitalization and oxygen support before he stopped breathing and a scan revealed brain damage.
His mother said she shares his story not to frighten people but to encourage pregnant women to get the RSV vaccine, noting that what happened to Malachi was very rare.
Dr Andrew Whittamore explained that while RSV often causes mild cold-like symptoms, it can progress to serious lung infections and breathing problems in vulnerable infants.
UK Health Security Agency data from the 2024/25 season showed the maternal RSV vaccination programme provided over 80% protection for newborn infants against hospitalisation.
The study found vaccination at least two weeks before birth gave 81.3% protection, with a narrow confidence range of 78.9% to 83.4%, indicating high confidence in the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Researchers analysed nearly 300,000 babies born between September 2024 and March 2025, representing about 90% of all births in England during that period, using routinely collected electronic health records.
For more on this story, see Maternal RSV Vaccine Reduces Infant Hospitalization by Over 80%.
More than 4,500 hospitalisations occurred in the cohort, with the vast majority involving infants whose mothers had not received the vaccine.
Timing mattered: babies born at least four weeks after maternal vaccination had nearly 85% protection, while vaccination as late as 10 to 13 days before birth still reduced hospital admissions by 50%.
The study, described as the largest in the world evaluating maternal RSV vaccination’s effect on preventing infant hospitalisation for RSV chest infection, will be presented on 18 April at the ESCMID global conference.
Matt Wilson, lead author and epidemiologist at UKHSA, said the findings confirm the programme’s importance, especially for preterm infants who are particularly vulnerable to severe RSV when protected with sufficient time between vaccination and birth.
This follows our earlier report, Maternal RSV Vaccine Cuts Infant Hospitalizations by Over 80%.
The flu and whooping cough vaccines are also recommended during pregnancy, and adults aged 75 or over or in care homes are offered the RSV vaccine across the UK.
How does the RSV vaccine given in pregnancy protect newborns?
The vaccine strengthens the pregnant woman’s immune system, allowing antibodies to pass through the placenta and provide protection to the baby from birth.
Who is eligible for the maternal RSV vaccine in England?
The vaccine is offered to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect their newborns, with best protection when given at least two weeks before birth.