The UKHSA's RSV annual report shows 63 infants under six months age were admitted to intensive care units or higher dependency units with confirmed RSV chest infection, down from 131 in the previous year following the first full year of the maternal programme, which began in September 2024.

Secretary for state for health and social care Yvette Cooper said: ‘Maternity and child health needs to be at the heart of our NHS. I believe we need to do more to support mothers and improve children's health – especially in those early years.

‘The RSV vaccine, introduced by this Government, saves lives and it is encouraging to see such a positive uptake. We want to see this effectively rolled out everywhere.'

The maternal vaccination programme is offered to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns, who are at higher risk of severe illness from RSV.

The annual report shows that in the 12 months from March 2025 to February 2026, 61.7% of women giving birth had received an RSV vaccine.

Earlier this year a UKHSA study presented at the ESCMID conference (RSV maternal vaccine cuts baby hospital admissions by up to 85% - GOV.UK), showed a dose of the maternal vaccine provides over 80% protection to the newborn infant against hospital admission. The vaccine is recommended to be given in week 28 or soon afterwards, so it can protect most preterm babies and generate the best protection, but it can be given up until labour begins.