Thousands of Brits urged to ‘get vaccinated now' to protect against killer bug often mistaken for a cold
The vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is offered to pregnant mum's to protect unborn babies from the disease expected to surge in the coming months.
1
RSV is a common infection, which in the majority of people, just causes mild, flu -like symptoms, similar to the common cold.
It can, on occasion, lead to chest infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in newborns and the elderly.
Each year it kills around 8,000 people in the UK and hospitalises tens of thousands more.
Experts think the UK should brace for a surge this autumn, when the disease typically rears its head, following a record number of cases in Australia.
NHS officials said that the Australian winter is often a good predictor of how viruses will spread in England.
And following a surge in cases number of RSV cases in Australia, officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025.
NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the RSV vaccine to protect their babies, as the virus is a leading cause of infant deaths and the top reason for hospital admissions in young children.
Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: "While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation.
"Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating."
Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery.
RSV vaccine
Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks.
Last week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine, which was first rolled out in summer 2024.
It said that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72 per cent of hospital admissions for their babies.
The antibodies the mums produce in response to the jab are passed to their babies in the womb, protecting them for the first six months after being born.
And the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, UKHSA said.
Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September – with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk.
It will protect them against RSV which is even more serious in high-risk infants.
Around 7,000 babies will be eligible and get about 80 per cent protection for six months from a single injection.
The previous weekly treatment was only 55 per cent effective.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Great Ormond Street Hospital criticised by NHS watchdog for using doctors' assistants to fill surgical rota
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has been criticised by the NHS watchdog for using doctors' assistants to fill its surgical rota. GOSH, one of the world's leading children's hospitals, had resorted to using physician associates (PA), now called doctors' assistants, to fill gaps for registrars due to short staffing, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found during an inspection in October 2024. In addition to concerns over the use of PAs to cover during times of short staffing, the CQC found that the trust also had a shortage of nurses trained to carry out tracheostomies, leaving only one trained nurse available to work during some shifts. Widespread controversy over the use of physician associates by the NHS was subject to a national review earlier this year, following the death of Emily Chesterton in 2022. She died from a pulmonary embolism after being misdiagnosed twice by a physician associate, who she believed to be a doctor, at her GP surgery in north London. Following the Leng review into the use of PAs, the government accepted the recommendations, which included that PAs should be renamed and only see patients in limited circumstances. The CQC's inspection of GOSH, the results of which were published last month, was triggered by concerns over the care of hundreds of children by orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar, who was accused of carrying out botched surgeries. Last year, GOSH launched a review of the care of 723 children treated by Mr Jabbar, following concerns raised by parents and the Royal College of Surgeons. Of the cases reviewed so far, 22 children were found to have come to harm, including amputations which might have been avoided and injuries that left them with lifelong pain. The CQC's inspection report does not make statements about the surgeon's case; however, its inspection of the department cited concerns over 'governance' and 'surgical accountability and oversight' at the trust. The report said: 'A key area of risk identified was the safe staffing levels within surgical services. Reports indicated that physician associates (PAs) were being used to fill registrar rota gaps. 'When this took place, they reported directly to a named consultant and could seek additional clinical support from senior registrars or fellows as required. Additionally, there were concerns regarding the availability of tracheostomy-trained nurses, with incidents where only one trained nurse was present during shifts, limiting safe break coverage.' In response to concerns around staffing, the trust began a recruitment drive, with new nurses in training and temporary staff cover arranged where required. However, at the time of the assessment, gaps remained in some key areas, particularly within ear nose and throat and urology services. In response to the CQC's concerns around staffing, a spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital said patient safety was its top priority. It said: 'Physician associates are a valued part of our multidisciplinary team – they are assigned daytime shifts within a specific physician associate roster and are always supported by at least one consultant. In the event of sickness, the entire team adapts to provide the necessary cover to ensure we provide the best possible patient care. 'This is always with appropriate supervision and in line with Trust policy.' The news comes as the government faces ongoing strikes from resident doctors across England over pay and a lack of specialist training posts for doctors, following a five-day walkout last month that saw thousands of staff take action. The British Medical Association, which represents resident doctors, has previously used pay comparisons between PAs and resident doctors as part of its argument on why pay for its members should be raised. Last week, the BMA also warned that thousands of resident doctors, formerly called junior doctors, would not get specialist training jobs once they finish their initial two years training, with around 30,000 doctors competing for 10,000 posts.
BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Mum from Essex wins settlement from NHS over newborn's care
A mum has won a settlement against an NHS trust after she said medical staff failed to listen to her concerns and diagnose her newborn's medical 43, from Harwich, Essex, said her daughter Piper has esophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula, a condition where the esophagus does not form properly preventing food from reaching the stomach. After Piper's birth she said she told hospital staff her daughter was not swallowing milk and said: "It felt like I was screaming from the rooftops. I just wasn't being listened to." The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust admitted to failing to care for Piper properly and accepted it made several breaches of duty. Piper was born at Broomfields Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, in September 2021 and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for life-saving surgery two days condition, known as TOF, also means she has a gap between the esophagus and trachea."Piper was not seen by a paediatrician quickly enough, she was being fed throughout her first day even though it made her turn blue and choke and she was only rushed to Addenbrooke's after hours and hours of suffering," Samantha said. She added Piper has been left with a four-inch scar because she had to have her chest drained after medics continued to feed her not realising that the milk and stomach acid were going into her lungs."One easy scan would have picked [the condition] up and meant Piper would have been born in a specialist unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital rather than at my local hospital, which failed to take the proper action," she said. Samantha was 39 when she had her baby and said she was automatically put in the "high-risk category" because of her she said the trauma she went through with her daughter could have been avoided if medical staff had listened to a 20-week scan Samantha was told by a midwife she had polyhydramnios, which is a build-up of amniotic fluid around the baby."I had a very distinct feeling that it was thought [by medical staff] I was being paranoid - that this was just a build up of mucus," she added. "If sonographers knew what they were looking for, perhaps she could have been born in the right place, she would have had a tube inserted at birth. "We needed have gone through that trauma of trying to feed a baby and then choking again and again."Why are we putting babies through that and mums," she said. Piper, now aged three, loves eating food now and has been doing really well, she said. Yet Piper's condition is life-long and she will receive care from the surgical team at Addenbrooke's Hospital until she is 16, her mother said. "I cannot tell you how many times I have been sat in front of a GP trying to explain her condition and sort of being disregarded and it's been happening to parents of TOF babies and children all over the UK."Samantha believed there was a lack of knowledge of the condition amongst healthcare professionals and recalled how once a GP Googled the condition during a consultation."For so many parents that fight is not over - or it is just begun. "I don't think that NHS strategy of let's wait and see will ever change, but if we can get the conversation going - I am very happy to talk about Piper."Denise Townsend, the deputy chief nurse for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We sincerely apologise that the level of care received by Piper was not to the standard she and her family should have expected." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Warning as cases of agonising infection surge over summer – with swimming a key trigger
CASES of an agonising infection surge over the summer months, a GP has warned. Swimming can be a key trigger of the illness, as can forgetting to drink water or getting too caught up to go to the loo. 1 As temperatures rise and summer activities ramp up, so does the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, according to Dr Hina Gauher, GP and cystitis lead at Boots Online Doctor. In fact, the number of people visiting the pharmacy chain about UTIs has risen over the summer months. UTI consultations through the NHS Pharmacy First scheme - which allows patients to seek help over seven common conditions - saw a 10 per cent increase between May and June this year, Boots told Sun Health. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also showed a 9 per cent increase in UTI related hospital admissions compared to the previous 12 months. Many of these patients were in hospital for less than a day - with Boots suggesting hospital trips could be avoided by accessing early advice and appropriate treatment. Dr Gauher said: 'UTIs are common bacterial infections affecting the urinary tract that can cause painful symptoms, interrupt travel plans, and sometimes lead to more serious health complications if left untreated." These can include a high temperature, pains in the lower tummy or back, as well as needing to pee urgently and a burning sensation when you do so. 'Dehydration, frequent swimming, and changes in hygiene routines during the holidays can increase the risk of UTIs," the GP went on. "It's important to stay aware and take preventive measures, especially during these warmer months.' The GP shared her seven top tips for preventing UTIs or stopping them in their tracks. The most common illnesses you can catch on holiday 1. Stay hydrated Are you forgetting to drink water while getting caught up in your summer plans? This can make UTIs more likely, Dr Gauher warned. 'Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the best ways to help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract and relieve UTI symptoms," she said. "Try and aim for at least six to eight glasses of water a day.' 2. Pee regularly The same applies for going to the loo. 'Urinating regularly is key too," the GP went on. "Don't hold in urine and try to go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to. "This helps clear bacteria from the urinary tract before it has the chance to multiply.' What is a UTI? Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by bacteria - found in poo - entering the urinary tract. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). Women are more likely than men to pick up UTIs as they have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. According to the NHS, things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include: Having sex Pregnancy Conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney stones conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children Urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine) Having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy Not drinking enough fluids Not keeping the genital area clean and dry Check if it's a UTI Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include: Pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria) Needing to pee more often than usual Needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia) Needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual Pee that looks cloudy Blood in your pee Lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery A very low temperature below 36C Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water. What to do if you think you have a UTI If you think you have UTI symptoms, you should speak to your GP to discuss treatment options. Most people will need antibiotics. Some people may be prescribed a 'delayed antibiotic', meaning they'll be asked only to use it if their symptoms don't go away after a certain amount of time. If you keep getting UTIs, your GP might recommend you have a low dose of antibiotics over a long period of time or refer you to a specialist for more tests and treatments. For women who have gone through menopause, there is evidence that vaginal oestrogen creams can reduce UTI symptoms. Source: NHS 3. Wipe well Sometimes your wiping habits could put you in the danger zone of a UTI, according to Dr Gauher. 'Practising good hygiene is another important step," she stressed. "Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra, reducing the risk of infection.' 4. Change out of wet swimmies After you've had a dip in the sea or the pool, do you find yourself hanging out in your wet bikini? It's best to change out of it soon, Dr Gauher advised. The same goes for your damp workout clothes too. 'Prolonged moisture creates a breeding ground for bacteria," she explained. "After swimming or workouts, change into dry clothing promptly.' 5. Pee after sex Though it's blissful to cuddle after sex, it's worth breaking the spell for a moment to nip to the loo. 'Sex habits also play a role in preventing infections," the GP said. "Urinating shortly afterward can help remove bacteria and lower the risk of developing a UTI." You might also want to consider "sashing the vaginal area before and after sexual activity" to make sure no germs get into your urinary tract. 6. Avoid scented soaps There's nothing nicer that coming out of the shower smelling delicious - but it's a good idea to keep scented stuff away from your vagina. 'Skip douches, scented soaps, and harsh feminine sprays, which can upset the natural balance of healthy bacteria," Dr Gauher advised. 7. Know red flag symptoms Make sure you're up to date with red flag UTI symptoms so you can seek help promptly. 'UTIs are infections that can affect the bladder, kidneys and the tubes connected to them," Dr Gauher explained. "They can cause symptoms like pain or a burning sensation when urinating, needing to urinate more often, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.' Women aged 16-64 can access advice and prescription treatment through the NHS Pharmacy First Service, which is available at Boots stores in England as well as other pharmacies. But if you're younger or older than this age range or keep getting UTIs, you should speak to your GP.
