Expanding the rollout of the RSV vaccine could save hundreds of babies from being hospitalised this year, according to one campaigner. 

Last week Cabinet approved a vaccination programme for infants this autumn and winter for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

The programme will see up to 28,000 newborn babies between September 2024 and February 2025 offered a vaccine. 

Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell, however, has said the current plan from the Department of Health goes against expert advice. 

“NIAC actually stated that all babies under six months should be given it at the start of RSV season,” she told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“It is now six months’ worth of babies in Ireland who have been excluded and left out.” 

Ms Mitchell explained RSV begins to spread in September, hitting a peak in November before ‘fettering off’ by February. 

With the new vaccine programme being rolled out next September, Ms Mitchell said there will leave countless newborns at risk. 

“If you're born on the first of September, you'll be immunised before you leave hospital,” she said. 

“If you were born in the middle of August, you are in the highest risk category to end up in hospital or ICU from RSV - and you are not entitled to immunisation. 

Hospitalisations

Last year, there were 1,397 RSV hospitalisations in infants – with 1,017 of those infants under six months old. 

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said the new programme will prevent many hospitalisations – but Ms Mitchell argued it’s not enough. 

The pharmacist said in her latest podcast, she developed a new proposal for the vaccine rollout, addressing different legislative issues. 

“Why should I have to do that to save an additional 944 babies from hospitalisation?” she said. 

“We can’t ignore those babies.” 

RSV vaccine proposal

Based on her ‘workings’ of RSV, Ms Mitchell suggested babies born between July and August could receive the vaccine in September at their two-month visit. 

Babies born between May and June could receive it at their four-month visit, while babies born from March to April could receive it at their six-month visit, according to Ms Mitchell. 

She said this plan would help those most at risk first while ensuring all infants are protected from RSV. 

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.