In the following days, a new immunisation scheme from the HSE will be introduced, with the aim of safeguarding newborn infants from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The programme will target those born between 1st September 2024 and 28th February 2025, offering them a novel monoclonal antibody immunisation considered by the HSE to be the most effective defence against RSV.
RSV is a prevalent virus that typically affects young infants, leading to respiratory infections, the severity of which is heightened during the RSV season, particularly for the youngest of babies. These insights were shared by the director of the HSE national health protection office, Dr Éamonn O’Moore.
“Each Irish winter sees half of all newborns contracting RSV, with a significant number needing medical attention either from their local doctor or the children’s hospital emergency department,” shared Dr O’Moore.
“RSV results in hospitalisation for four out every hundred babies, with some of these needing to be admitted to intensive care units.
“This novel programme intends to safeguard infants from the moment of their birth and is being offered without any charges at every maternity hospital across Ireland before the newborns are allowed to go home. I cannot overstate the importance of all parents having their infant avail of the immunisation once the programme initiates in September.”
Nirsevimab is the immunisation in question, recommended for infants born in Ireland by the NIAC and the HSE and certified by the European Medicines Agency. Once injected, the baby gets immediate protection from RSV for 150 days, which covers the initial stages of the baby’s life—when they are most susceptible to serious RSV-related diseases.
Dr O’Moore further clarified that this program would commence as a ‘path finder’ initiative—aimed at exploring and pioneering innovative ways of enhancing health outcomes in a population or community.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) asserted that the immunisation strategy will provide a dual benefit: safeguarding infants from grave illnesses and ensuring crucial hospital children services are maintained during peak winter times by minimising RSV-related preventable admissions. From the study of a similar scheme rolled out in Spain, the HSE believes that Ireland’s infant RSV initiative will result in averting about 453 hospital stays and 48 ICU admissions.
The HSE further elaborated that the immunisation process utilises nirsevimab, an antibody offering direct RSV resistance to newborns. This method of protection, referred to as passive immunisation, differs from active immunisation in which a vaccine triggers the baby’s inbuilt immunity to create a defensive response.
However, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) noted the expansion of RSV immunisation will bring significant organisational hurdles. Based on Hiqa’s costing review, the projected annual cost to the HSE for vaccinating infants during their inaugural RSV season could range from €3.9 million to €19 million, contingent on the method adopted. Costs would be partially counterbalanced by a reduced need for infant hospitalisations.
It’s common for such programmes to be utilised initially as pilot projects or templates scalable and reproducible in alternate environments.