Jo Goldsmith is urging pregnant women to secure the RSV vaccine after her newborn daughter was hospitalized with a severe respiratory infection. The mother, who works as a children’s nurse and health visitor, said she was told to “prepare for the worst” when her daughter Phoebe contracted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) just days after being born.
Phoebe was five days old when she was diagnosed with RSV positive bronchiolitis on Christmas Eve, four years ago. Goldsmith, from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, noticed her baby was breathing very fast and struggling shortly after birth. The situation escalated quickly, leading to a stay in the hospital’s high dependency unit during the holiday period.
RSV vaccine eligibility and timing
The RSV vaccine was not available to Goldsmith during her pregnancy, a fact she says she deeply regrets. She stated she would “definitely have had it” if it had been an option at the time. Her experience has since become a public health message, as she describes the event as “the most traumatic thing we’ve had to go through.”
Currently, the RSV vaccine is offered year-round to all adults aged 75 and over. It is also available to pregnant women from 28 weeks of gestation to help protect newborn babies from the virus. Older people only need the vaccine once, while pregnant women are advised to receive it with every pregnancy.
This autumn, the Welsh government extended the offer of the RSV vaccine to higher-risk adults aged 65 to 74. This includes individuals who are immunosuppressed or suffer from chronic respiratory disease. The government emphasizes that the RSV vaccine is separate from the flu vaccine and should not be overlooked.
RSV symptoms and hospital admissions
RSV is a common virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to serious illness, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly for babies, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. During a normal RSV season in Wales, infections in children under two years old result in approximately 7,000 to 9,500 GP appointments and 2,300 to 2,600 hospital admissions.
The impact on older demographics is also significant. RSV infections in people over 75 are estimated to cause 7,000 to 9,000 GP appointments, 700 to 1,000 hospital admissions, and 400 to 600 deaths annually in Wales.
Phoebe survived the initial infection but faced longer-term health issues. She was admitted to the hospital several times with chest problems, and her hearing was also affected. Goldsmith recalled the uncertainty of those early days, noting that doctors were unsure how the infection would progress.
Nerys Evans, the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, highlighted Goldsmith’s story as a powerful reminder of the severity of RSV. Evans urged all eligible individuals to get their flu jab, COVID-19 booster, and RSV vaccine. She noted that these vaccines protect against different viruses and can make the difference between a mild illness and a serious hospital stay.
Source: BBC
