HSE urges early uptake of infant RSV immunisation
Families can access a no-cost dose for eligible babies as winter approaches. Maternity hospitals and participating GP practices are delivering the 2026–2027 programme, which aims to prevent serious respiratory illness among young children.
The HSE is urging parents to take up free RSV immunisation for eligible babies as the 2026–2027 programme gets under way. Depending on when a baby was born, it is offered through maternity hospitals or participating GP practices.
RSV is a common, highly contagious seasonal virus that can cause serious illness in young children, particularly during their first winter. A single dose of nirsevimab provides immediate protection against severe infection and hospitalisation.
Dr Áine Mc Namara, regional director of public health for HSE West and North West, said: “It is best to get the immunisation as early as possible in the RSV season to protect your baby throughout autumn & winter.” She said international evidence suggests it is over 80% effective at preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections.
Last winter, more than 37,000 infants were immunised. Uptake was 88% among babies born from September to February in maternity hospitals and 100% among high-risk infants. The programme reduced RSV-related hospitalisations by 70% among babies born during the season and is estimated to have averted over 1,000 emergency department presentations, hospitalisations and ICU admissions across both eligible groups.
Dr Patrick Kelly of the Irish College of General Practitioners encouraged parents of babies born between March and August to attend a participating GP practice. The dose can be given alongside routine childhood vaccines; parents with questions should speak to a healthcare professional.