SEL ICB leads maternal RSV vaccination efforts
Thousands of pregnant women and birthing people in south east London have received the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine this autumn, providing essential protection to their unborn babies.
As of 11 November, midwives at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College NHS Foundation Trust, and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust have administered over 1,700 maternal RSV vaccines. This means that the South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) has the highest uptake of any region across London and ranks fifth nationwide since the programme launched on 1 September.
When receiving the RSV vaccine at St Thomas’ hospital, Ka Ling, an expectant first-time mother, said: “I’m getting vaccinated as a precaution to protect myself and the baby.”
Since the programme’s launch, demand for the vaccine in south east London has been high. Blanca Rodrigo-Ibanez, Midwife at St Thomas’ hospital, said: “The very first weeks when we opened the clinic, there were so many women coming to have the vaccine.
“It was great to see how many mums were into it, and they were there because they wanted to protect their babies.”
Health professionals, including midwives, borough immunisation leads, and other healthcare providers across south east London, have been instrumental in promoting vaccine uptake through co-ordinated efforts within the Local Maternity and Neonatal System. Initiatives include social media campaigns, community outreach, and a pilot call system to remind women and birthing people about the vaccine’s availability.
Midwife Patricia Dyter, from Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, has also gone to great efforts to promote RSV vaccinations during open pregnancy evenings at the Trust.
To support this effort, midwives providing antenatal care have received training on the safety and effectiveness of the RSV vaccine, helping them address any concerns people may have. Aldyth Walker, a midwife at Princess Royal University Hospital, has led training efforts across King’s College Hospital to ensure midwives are well prepared for these conversations. Midwife Blanca encourages anyone with questions about the RSV vaccine to speak to their midwife, GP, or to consult reliable sources like the NHS website.
RSV is a common virus that can lead to serious lung infections in infants, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis, which can make it difficult for babies to breathe and feed. The RSV vaccine, offered free from 28 weeks of pregnancy, significantly reduces this risk. Pregnant women and birthing people can book their RSV vaccine through their maternity service or GP, with further details available on NHS maternity unit websites.
The NHS also advises pregnant women and birthing people to receive the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine, as well as the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines, to protect both maternal and infant health. For more information on maternal vaccinations, visit the NHS website.