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16th December 2024
05:22pm GMT
A new HSE RSV immunisation programme has significantly reduced infections, serious illness and hospitalisations amongst babies born in Ireland since September.
The team confirmed that in relation to babies born since September 1st, only 41 cases were notified compared to 656 in 2023.
24 babies were hospitalised compared to 413 cases in the same period last year.
Five babies needed treatment in the ICU for RSV infection compared with 64 in the same period last year.
Public Health lead for the RSV pathfinder programme at the HSE National Health Protection Office, Dr Augustine Pereira stated:
"The programme has hugely reduced the level of illness and in many cases serious illness amongst the youngest and most vulnerable babies."
HSE CCO Dr Colm Henry praised medical staff at Children's Health Ireland who "worked tirelessly on planning and implementing this programme."
"The very significant reduction in illness and hospitalisations powerfully illustrates the effectiveness of immunisation and vaccine programmes and the protection from serious illness that they provide," said Dr Henry.
The HSE stressed that it 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. This covers the very early period in a baby’s life when they are most vulnerable to serious RSV-related illness.
All babies born between the 1st of September 2024 and the 28th of February 2025 are eligible for immunisation.
This new programme protects babies immediately after birth. It is being offered free of charge to all newborns in every maternity hospital in Ireland before they are discharged.
RSV is a common virus that causes respiratory infections in people of all ages, especially infants.
The risk of severe infection is highest in the youngest infants, especially those born during the RSV season.
See https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/ for more information.
