Real-world data from three recent UK studies show that the national maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme provides robust protection against infant RSV hospitalisation up to six months of age, while also highlighting critical access and information hurdles that shape parental vaccine uptake. According to findings published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Vaccine, and the Archives of Disease in Childhood, maternal immunisation with the bivalent RSV prefusion F vaccine (brand name Abrysvo) significantly lowers severe infant respiratory illness, though systemic barriers still limit consistent delivery across regions.
Maternal RSV Vaccine Effectiveness in Infant Hospitalisation
A prospective, test-negative case-control study conducted across 37 UK hospitals during the 2025/26 RSV season found that maternal RSV vaccination reduces the risk of infants being admitted to hospital with RSV-associated acute lower respiratory tract infections by 61% through to six months of age, according to data published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. The study evaluated infants aged six months or younger born at 28 weeks’ gestation or later who had not received nirsevimab.
Researchers reported that 38% of RSV-positive infants had mothers who received RSVpreF before delivery, compared to 66% of RSV-negative infants. After adjusting for variables such as geographical site, month of admission, gestational age, socioeconomic status, infant age, and breastfeeding, the estimated vaccine effectiveness reached 61% through to six months of age.
“We found that vaccination during pregnancy greatly reduced the risk of babies being admitted to hospital with RSV-related respiratory illness. Put simply, for every four babies who might otherwise have needed hospital care for RSV, three avoided admission because their mother was vaccinated against the virus in pregnancy.”
— Dr Shaun O’Hagan, paediatric infectious diseases doctor and PhD student at Queen’s University Belfast
Dr O’Hagan noted that population-level protection depends heavily on uptake, pointing out that approximately 63% of eligible pregnancies in England currently receive the RSV vaccine. By comparison, infant immunisation coverage reaches roughly 90% in countries like Spain. Data also showed that the median gestational age at vaccination shifted earlier to 30 weeks in the second season, compared to 35 weeks previously.
Access-Related Barriers and Information Gaps in Uptake
Despite proven clinical effectiveness, qualitative and survey-based research reveals persistent obstacles that prevent eligible mothers from receiving the vaccine. A study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood examined free-text survey responses from 388 vaccine-eligible mothers whose infants were hospitalised with bronchiolitis, lower respiratory tract infection, or acute wheeze across 30 hospitals in England and Scotland. Out of these respondents, 82 had received RSVpreF, while 299 had not.
Access-related barriers emerged as the most commonly reported obstacle, cited by 54% of respondents. Specifically, 26% of mothers stated that the vaccine had not been offered or they could not recall an offer, and a third of those women indicated they would have accepted it if given the chance. An additional 14% reported being offered the jab too late in pregnancy or after giving birth, while 12% cited logistical hurdles including inconvenient locations, limited appointments, staffing pressures, stock shortages, and unclear booking arrangements.
Did you know? While social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram help raise awareness of severe RSV by connecting parents, a qualitative study in the journal Vaccine found that mothers do not view social media as a trusted source of official vaccine safety information.
Information deficits also hindered participation. According to the study, 29% of mothers reported having insufficient information regarding the vaccine or the risks associated with RSV, and 10% raised concerns regarding vaccine safety or its recent introduction. Conversely, 52 participants highlighted vaccination as a vital protective measure, driven by personal or professional familiarity with severe respiratory illness.
Maternal Perceptions and Preferences for Antenatal Delivery
To better understand what drives acceptance, researchers publishing in the journal Vaccine conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 mothers in England between July and November 2024. Most participants demonstrated baseline awareness of RSV, largely cultivated through online parent-sharing experiences rather than formal medical channels.
When presented with official NHS information, most women expressed positive attitudes toward accepting the vaccine in current or future pregnancies. Protecting their infant served as the primary motivator, though participants requested clear data regarding safety, side effects, and duration of protection. Women expressed a preference for receiving information earlier in pregnancy, favouring a mix of online and written NHS resources paired with direct discussions with a midwife. Furthermore, participants overwhelmingly preferred receiving maternal vaccinations directly within maternity settings during routine antenatal appointments rather than scheduling separate general practice visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the maternal RSV vaccine recommended during pregnancy?
The UK national maternal vaccination programme offers the bivalent RSV prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine (brand name Abrysvo) offered from 28 weeks’ gestation.
How effective is the RSVpreF vaccine at preventing infant hospitalisation?
According to data published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, estimated vaccine effectiveness against hospital admission with RSV-associated acute lower respiratory tract infections is 61% through to six months of age, and 76% through to three months of age.
What are the primary barriers to maternal RSV vaccine uptake?
Research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood identifies access-related issues—such as lack of an offer, late offers, and logistical hurdles—alongside insufficient information and safety concerns as the main barriers to higher uptake.
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