RSV jab. To do, or not to do?

[Foxylass]

I hope this is the right place to ask.
My daughter in law (sons partner) and my daughter are both pregnant. The babies will be the first grandchildren in our family.

They have both been offered the RSV jab and are unsure about it. They are not anti-vaxers, they've both had other jabs.

They both look to me for advice, but it is so long since I was pregnant, and much has changed.

I've looked it up online, and to be honest, I am not much wiser.

I think actual experience would be great to learn from, to some extent. So I am looking to you for advice please?

Both 'mums' are UK based, neither smoke, both healthy, aged early 30's and late 20's (if any of that is useful).

I think the worry is, that it seems to be a fairly recent addition to the vax programmes and for a while it was banned.

Thank you in advance.

RSV is one of the commonest reasons for small babies being admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties. It is wonderful that this vaccine is now on offer and babies are protected during their most vulnerable early months.

“Banned” 🙄

How would you have answered this question before the internet?

I've looked it up online, and to be honest, I am not much wiser.

Really? Where on earth are you looking? Anti vax forums??

So many of them recently!

’I’m not anti vax but let me reel of whole load of misinformation about vaccines’

Almost lost my 3 week old son to this horrible illness. We had a long stay in hospital. I would encourage any protection against this horrible illness

RSV is awful. I would have grabbed this with both hands had it been on offer when I was pregnant with my two! Little babies can be hospitalised and even die from RSV.

I had it the other day, it’s not a new vaccine it’s just new to the nhs. It’s been used in other countries for a long time.

I was worried about getting ill as I have a toddler to look after but I only had a very slightly sore arm for a few hours and that was it.

I would say they should have it.

Also with my first 2 of the babies in my NCT group got RSV and had to go to hospital, so I knew I should get it as it’s serious

Please have it. My eldest almost died from pneumonia caused by RSV when he was 18 months and we were coming out of lockdown. I'd never even heard of it before having children. It's a very very scary virus and I wish I could have had the vaccine. DH and I still feel traumatised by the experience.

I’m a paeds nurse and looked after many many babies with rsv in my career. Winters were always scary due to how poorly some of these babies can get, and some don’t make it which is utterly devastating. If this vaccine stops even half of these babies being sick and saves them from dying I would get it in a heartbeat. I used to nurse lots of babies with whooping cough, another horrible awful illness, the vaccine worked, we stopped seeing it, a lot of the nurses I work with have never cared for a baby with pertussis.

I just will never forget the rsv babies I’ve cared for , struggling to feed, on oxygen, taking 2 steps forward and 5 back, their red eyes from coughing and wrenching, it’s really awful, suctioning them watching their poor parents at their cots feeling completely helpless. Even watching them being ventilated and transferred to picu, I now work vaccinating under 5’s after 18 years in paeds wards, I do hope this vaccine makes a difference.

RSV puts healthy babies on ventilators every year. It's a much bigger problem than covid, for children's units.

Get it, my baby was hospitalised with RSV, then developed complications. It's a no brainer.

I will jut say this; this is a VERY pro vax website, doesn't matter what is posted in regards to actual risk or research, anyone going against the grain will get swarmed. Make your own mind up.

I think If I'd been offered it when pregnant I would have said no due to it being new, I would have greatly regretted it and felt so much guilt. My baby got rsv at 2 months old, it was horrendous. We we're lucky as his was apparently mild. He would do this horrible sucking in thing with his whole stomach and rib cage, I had to stay awake with him for days (taking it in turns with oh) as he needed to be upright and at the worst point he had to be rushed to hospital as he kept stopping breathing. If this was mild I can't bare to think what it would have been like if any worse

Yes. Excellent efficacy and safety shown in well designed large trials.Working on associated research so I’ve done the reading.

I agree, it’s almost as if there’s a coordinated campaign of misinformation. And the OPs never come back. 🤔

Thank you all for your responses and reassuring information.
I will try to respond to all points raised.

I apologise for saying the jab was banned - the trials were stopped for a time. My error, sorry.

Both are absolutely thinking of the health of their babies, which is why they are asking questions and checking things out. They want to do the best for their babies and they want to make informed decisions.

I mentioned that they were non-smokers, in case it made a difference.

They have both had advice from their midwives, but there is always value in looking into things deeper.

None of us are against vaccines - they asked my view of this and others, and this one, is one that we didn't know 'enough' about. However, the information provided here is very helpful and I am glad I asked.

I will try to reply to individual comments too.
Thank you again.

Wow I was quite looking forward to reading the responses to the OP. I've always assumed I'd have it when offered but wanted to understand both sides of the argument. Am completely appalled by the reaction, so many people being so rude to someone asking a question - isn't this what Mumsnet is here for?!
OP for what it's worth I'm pregnant and I'll be having it. I think we are really lucky to be offered it as it can have such devastating effects. Good luck to your daughter and daughter in law, and of course to you - granny (twice!) x

I hope that your daughter is better soon.
Thank you for your comment.
I apologise, the tests were stopped for a time, I should have checked and been more accurate.
Sincerely wishing you and your little one well.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10578951/#:~:text=Vaccine%20Efficacy&text=Efficacy%20against%20medically%20attended%20RSV,%E2%80%9336%20weeks'%20gestation).

This link has plenty of information and study of safety in trials.
gov.uk is also informative

www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-programme-information-for-healthcare-professionals/rsv-vaccination-of-pregnant-women-for-infant-protection-information-for-healthcare-practitioners#:~:text=In%20clinical%20vaccine%20trials%2C%20maternal,some%20data%20suggesting%20longer%20protection.

If they can have this vaccine then breast feed, their babies will have some immunity whilst being breast fed. It's particularly nasty in babies so if I was in their situation, this is what I'd do.

Thank you, and congratulations to you too x

I find getting the views of others a valuable way to look at things.

Mumsnet can be harsh sometimes, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

I am glad I asked my question, I perhaps could have phrased it better.

Thank you and good luck x

I apologise, I should have been more accurate.

Please encourage them to get the vaccine. My 14 month old DD is currently RSV positive with bronchiolitis and I've never seen her so unwell before 💖 I wish it was on offer when I was pregnant as it's such a horrible illness

Thank you. I should have said, they have both been advised by their midwives.
They are just looking for more advice, reassurance I guess, and who better to ask than mum or mum-in-law?

They are both determined to do their best for their babies, in an informed way, which is why they are seeking more information.