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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine - RSV vaccine for pregnant women and their babies

About the vaccine

All medicines and vaccines have passed strict safety standards for use in the UK and are very safe. As with all medicines and vaccines, any reports of side effects are closely monitored and reviewed.  

The RSV vaccine is a single dose which is given into the upper arm.  

If you would like to learn more about the RSV vaccine, you can read the patient leaflet.   

Can I have the vaccine earlier than 28 weeks in my pregnancy? 

It is important you have the vaccine when it is offered to you from 28 weeks. This will make sure you build up a good level of antibodies to pass on to your unborn baby, offering them the best protection.  

What if I am unwell on the day of my appointment? 

If you are ill when your appointment is due, it is better to wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine, but you should try to have it as soon as possible.   

Does the RSV vaccine contain pork gelatine? 

None of the current vaccines offered during pregnancy contain pork gelatine. You can find information about vaccines and porcine gelatine on our page.

Can RSV be given at the same time as other vaccines? 

It is important you have your vaccines at the right time during pregnancy. The whooping cough vaccine is usually offered earlier from 16 weeks. The flu vaccine can be given at any time during your pregnancy. You should have all vaccines offered in pregnancy as soon as they become available to you.   

When you are offered your RSV vaccine, if you have not yet had your whooping cough or flu vaccines you can have them at the same time.  

If you need more information about the vaccines, how they can protect you and your baby and when you should have them, you can ask your midwife.  

Can the RSV vaccine be given during breastfeeding? 

The benefits of breastfeeding are well known, and the RSV vaccine can safely be given to women who are breastfeeding. The antibodies you make after you have been vaccinated pass into your breast milk. These may give your baby some protection against RSV.  

You should not stop breastfeeding before your vaccination, and you can continue breastfeeding as normal afterwards.  

Why is an RSV vaccine being offered to pregnant women? 

Vaccination during pregnancy can help to prevent RSV and make it less serious for your baby. This is because the antibodies (natural substances your body’s immune system produces to fight infection) areIn September 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended an RSV immunisation programme for pregnant women to protect infants. The JCVI is a group of experts in the UK that advises the Government on vaccines and immunisation.  

You can help protect your baby against RSV from birth by having the RSV vaccination while you are pregnant.   

Vaccination during pregnancy can help to prevent RSV and make it less serious for your baby. This is because the antibodies (natural substances your body’s immune system produces to fight infection) are passed through the placenta to your unborn baby. The placenta is on the inside of your womb and links your blood supply with your unborn baby.  

  • The RSV vaccination programme for pregnant women is very effective at protecting young babies against RSV infection from birth through to six months of age and beyond.  
  • To give your baby the best protection, you should have your vaccine between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. If you miss your vaccine, you can have it up until your baby is born. However, if you have it later in pregnancy it may not be as effective.  
  • You should try and have your RSV vaccine as soon as you are eligible. This will help you to build a good level of protection to pass to your baby before you give birth.  
  • RSV vaccination can reduce the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first six months of life.  

Do I need to have the RSV vaccine in every pregnancy? 

Yes. You need the vaccine in each pregnancy to offer your new baby the best protection from RSV. This will make sure you build up a good level of antibodies to pass on to your unborn baby.  

Who is at most risk from RSV? 

Babies under one year of age and older adults are at risk of becoming very unwell.   

Other people are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, such as:   

  • babies who are born early 
  • people who have severe lung or heart disease, and 
  • those with a weakened immune system. 

Some babies at higher risk of RSV may also be offered an antibody injection from birth. This injection will give your baby extra protection on top of any antibodies they might get from you. If your baby is eligible for an antibody injection, your doctor or midwife will discuss this with you.  

You can help protect your baby against RSV from birth by having the RSV vaccination while you are pregnant.  

You can find more information about diseases caused by RSV at:   

Eligibility for the vaccine

To offer your baby the best protection, you should have your vaccine between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.  

You should be offered the vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment. If you haven’t heard by this time, contact your midwife or your GP to make an appointment.   

The vaccine is most effective between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. If you miss your vaccine, you can have it until your baby is born. However, if you have it later in pregnancy it may not be as effective.  

  • Having the vaccine in every pregnancy will give each baby the best protection against severe RSV illness.  
  • It is important to have your vaccines at the right time in pregnancy.  

For information about other vaccines in pregnancy, visit the information about vaccinations in pregnancy page.

What happens if I didn’t have the RSV vaccination during pregnancy?  

If you missed your RSV vaccination during pregnancy, speak to your midwife as you may still be able to have it following the birth. This will not directly protect your baby, but it may protect you and prevent you from passing RSV on to your baby. If you are breastfeeding, there is no evidence of any risk to the baby caused by having the vaccine.  

Safety and effectiveness 

Is the RSV vaccine safe in pregnancy? 

Studies have shown the RSV vaccine is very safe for you and your baby.  

In a clinical trial of almost 4,000 women, the RSV vaccine had a good safety record. The vaccine has now been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and the USA. Many thousands of women have since had the vaccine in national programmes, including more than 100,000 women in the USA.   

The RSV vaccine is not a live vaccine, so it cannot cause RSV in you or your baby. It is the safest and most effective way to help protect your unborn baby from RSV.  

Are there any side effects from the vaccine? 

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. This is because vaccines work by making a response in your immune system. Most side effects are mild and don’t last long, and not everyone gets them. The most common side effects should only last a day or two.   

Common side effects include:   

  • a headache   
  • aching muscles, and   
  • soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection.  

No side effects have been reported in babies born to mothers who have been vaccinated.  

Rare or very rare side effects from the vaccine include:  

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome, a nerve condition that causes muscle weakness, and 
  • allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, hives (a raised, itchy rash), difficulty swallowing, and feeling dizzy.

These symptoms may be a sign of a serious allergic reaction and typically happen within 15 minutes of being vaccinated.  Call 999 immediately if you have had the vaccine and experience any of the following.  

To find out more about the side effects of the vaccine, read the patient information leaflet online at the EMC website (external site).  

 

If your symptoms get worse or if you are concerned, contact NHS 111 Wales by calling 111 or contact your GP surgery. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones.

You should report any suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online by visiting Yellow Card’s website or by calling the Yellow Card scheme hotline on 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).  

Can my baby still get RSV when I am vaccinated? 

No vaccine is 100% effective, and some babies may still get RSV despite their mothers having the vaccine. However, for most babies born to vaccinated mums, any RSV infection should be less severe.  

When given in pregnancy, the RSV vaccine has been found to be very effective at preventing RSV. It reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first six months of life. After this age your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV.   

It is still important to know the signs and symptoms of RSV, even if you are vaccinated.   

You can find information about signs and symptoms of illnesses caused by RSV at:   

More information

Page last reviewed: 26th October 2025