Vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in healthy adults, such as a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. In infants and young children, however, RSV can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia. The virus circulates mainly from autumn to spring.

RSV is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections requiring hospitalization in infants. The risk of severe illness is greatest during the first months of life, particularly in babies born prematurely and those with heart or lung conditions. Previously healthy babies born at term can also become seriously ill.

At the Fetal Ultrasound Center, we use Abrysvo, an RSV vaccine approved for use during pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect your baby against severe RSV disease during the first six months of life. Protection is not complete and decreases over time.

We generally schedule vaccination between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, based on your expected delivery date and the RSV season. Because protection takes time to develop, we recommend discussing vaccination with your doctor or midwife well in advance.

You can receive the RSV vaccine at the same appointment as the influenza vaccine. Based on international guidelines, the RSV vaccine and the Tdap vaccine against whooping cough can be given at separate appointments or, following a doctor's assessment, at the same appointment using different injection sites. If you can return at least two weeks later for your whooping cough vaccination and both vaccines can be given in good time, we prefer separate administration. If a second appointment is not possible or would delay vaccination, giving both vaccines at the same appointment may be preferable.

Your doctor will explain the benefits and limitations of both options. Together, we will choose a vaccination schedule that considers your stage of pregnancy, previous vaccinations, and your baby's protection needs.

See: Vaccination during pregnancy