Requesting RSV vaccine for my baby

[Havanawinter]

I am currently pregnant, due in June. When DS2 was a baby he caught RSV and it was devastating. He was born full term, healthy and what happened completely blindsided us. Long story short he ended up on a ventilator in intensive care, he caught pneumonia, an infection which required him to get circumcised and had a small stroke which has left him with left side weakness. It absolutely tanked my mental health; I had panic attacks for months, anxiety and depression. I didn’t sleep and had nightmares. I’ve had counselling and medication and am a lot better now.

Now I’m pregnant again I feel intense anxiety around this baby catching RSV. I’m aware the NHS offers vaccines to babies that meet certain criteria but I wonder if I’d have any success requesting one given DS2s experience. If there was an option to pay privately I would, but there isn’t. What do people think? Would I be stupid to even ask the question?

I'm so sorry that that happened to you.

A baby in our family had a similar story (GOSH ITU and ECMO) from RSV bronchiolitis.

The chances are slim that it happens in the first place, and even slimmer that it would happen to you again.... but I can completely understand why you feel like this and I absolutely be asking for this if I were you. I considered it with my baby after what happened to our baby cousin.

It might be that GPs cannot give it to your next baby as doesn't meet criteria, (they probably can't just decide to give it against protocol) in which case you could try going privately via paediatrics?

Very similar situation with us. DD2 caught it in October 2021 at 2 weeks old and ended up in Intensive Care etc etc DD3 is due in Feb this year and would be keen OP to know how you get on with seeing if they’ll give you the vaccine? When is yours due? I’m desperately hoping that lightning won’t strike twice and that we’ll be the tail end of the worst of the RSV season.

Still very possible for the older two to bring it home from nursery 💔

Our DD had bronchiolitis from RSV when she had just turned 1. Very scary. She is now 4 and largely healthy, but has asthma, and it causes bad coughing when sick or randomly at night. Her doctor said that sometimes it can be triggered when they catch RSV, so that may have started it. If there is any way of getting a vaccination, I would do it. I wonder though if it is like flu where there are different strains each year that the vaccines need to keep up with vs it being like a MMR where the vaccine (I assume) stays the same?

I think the vaccine is for babies who are vulnerable medically - prematurity if still on oxygen/other medical issues and babies who have serious chronic illnesses. Out of hospital I’ve not known any baby receive the vaccination, it’s consultants who make the decision where I am anyway.RSV is horrendous for some babies though so totally understand why you’d want to prevent them going through that.

I am sorry to hear your previous experience.

The criteria for receiving this vaccine is incredibly strict. From own experience it is on case by case with individual applications made to NHS England for funding. Whilst a baby can be recommended to receive it by a Consultant there is absolute no guarantee of success.

Hi, I am going to jump in this as well.

Similar story with my first child, 14 years ago, I am still traumatised by how ill she was and we have struggled with severe asthma ever since.

I asked a mid wife who didn't even know what RSV was 😳, and she asked someone else and they didn't even seem aware of the vaccines.

I know they are fine in USA and one is done in utero.

I would happily pay for one privately if it was available.

Hello! Wanted to check in
to see if anybody had any luck with doing this privately? I’m struggling to find anything & would like to look into for my 6 week old. X

Just for anyone else wondering about this while still pregnant, RSV vaccination from 28 weeks of pregnancy, to pass immunity to baby, will be introduced from 1 September 2024: RSV vaccination of pregnant women for infant protection: information for healthcare practitioners - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

'From 1 September 2024, the RSV vaccine should be offered to every pregnant woman from week 28 of their pregnancy. All women who are already at least 28 weeks pregnant on 1 September 2024 should be vaccinated as soon as possible.
This is a year-round programme and should routinely be offered as a woman reaches week 28 of pregnancy or soon afterwards.
Women remain eligible up until delivery, see Timing of vaccine administration for more detail.
An RSV vaccine should be reoffered in each pregnancy.'