RSV vaccine recommended for expectant mothers

Expectant mothers are being urged to talk to their healthcare professional now about protecting themselves and their families against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious illness.

Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) Board Chair, Dr Ka-Kiu Cheung, said while RSV affects people of all ages, certain groups are more vulnerable to complications.

“RSV is a common virus that spreads through droplets when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes,” Dr Cheung said.

“Vaccination is recommended for women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

“There is also RSV protection available for infants under eight months of age,” she said.

Dr Cheung said the RSV vaccine works by helping the mother’s immune system produce protective antibodies, which are passed on to the baby through the placenta.

“This passive immunisation helps shield the newborn from RSV during the first six months of life, which is when babies are most at risk,” she said.

Nerang bookkeeper Tamara Hopkins, 38, who is currently 30 weeks into pregnancy, said getting the RSV vaccine was an easy decision.

“I’ve had vaccines for whooping cough and flu, and adding RSV just made sense for peace of mind,” she said.

“I didn’t even know the RSV vaccine existed until a few weeks ago when I heard about it at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

“The nurses said RSV cases were rising, and I wanted to do everything I could to protect my baby.”

Tamara and husband Justin are parents to Scarlett (2) and Elijah (8), with Justin’s daughter Lily turning 18 this year.

Tamara said this pregnancy feels particularly special.

“After we conceived Elijah naturally, we had two ectopic pregnancies and both tubes were removed, so this baby, like Scarlett, was conceived through IVF.

“So, he or she is technically a fraternal twin to Scarlett, from the same cycle, which is pretty amazing,” she said.

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