VIRAL ALERT
All children will be exposed to ‘highly dangerous’ virus if urgent action isn’t taken NOW, doctors warn
Brush up on the symptoms of the illness that hospitalises 30,000 kids every year
CHILDREN will be exposed to a "highly dangerous" virus if urgent action isn't taken now, experts have warned.
More than 2,000 doctors have implored the Health Secretary to roll out a "game-changer" vaccine to prevent thousands of kids being admitted to hospital with RSV every year.
1
In June 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised ministers that they should press ahead with a jab programme for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for both babies and older adults.
Leading medics urged ministers to ensure a plan was in place before winter hits.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said every winter RSV grinds children's hospital services to a "halt" and that a vaccination scheme could ease the burden of the virus on both families and the NHS.
It would result in 108,000 fewer GP consultations, 74,000 fewer A&E visits and 20,000 fewer hospital admissions a year - solely in those aged under one, it added.
READ MORE ON RSV
Studies have shown that an RSV jab is up to 83.2 per cent effective at preventing RSV hospital admissions among babies.
The College has written to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Victoria Atkins urging her to roll out a programme.
The letter has been signed by more than 2,000 paediatricians and healthcare professionals.
RCPCH president Dr Camilla Kingdon said: "Every year our child health services grind to a halt with high levels of RSV and other winter bugs - we now have an opportunity to turn the tide on this trend.
Most read in Health
"The implementation of an RSV immunisation programme would be an absolute game-changer, not just for the NHS and doctors on the ground, but also for parents who we know struggle with unwell children throughout the winter period.
"Reducing RSV cases annually will also allow us to focus on reducing waiting times for children and young people, a listed priority for our government.
"Child health teams are working tirelessly to address the growing backlogs, but without proper support, their efforts are unable to make a meaningful dent in the problem.
The signs of common virus that could be deadly to babies - and how to spot them in your tot
"We simply cannot have another winter like the last. The Chancellor and Health Secretary must heed the advice of doctors.
"Together with 2,000 of my colleagues, I urge them to seize this opportunity and not wait until after the upcoming election. RSV won't wait."
Professor Ian Sinha, consultant respiratory paediatrician and member of the Asthma and Lung UK Council of Healthcare Professionals, added: "RSV is a widespread threat to infants.
"The lack of Government action following the JCVI's recommendation for a vaccination programme is a blow to children and young people in the UK, who already have worse respiratory outcomes than those in other rich countries.
"We need swift and decisive action now to ensure there is time to implement this programme in the autumn.
"Delaying further will complicate procurement and delivery, leaving thousands of infants needlessly vulnerable to this dangerous infection next winter."
Severe disease or death
RSV is a common respiratory bug that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
Most children will have it before they turn two.
But for a number of youngsters, the virus can lead to severe disease, or even death.
In infants, it can cause bronchiolitis which triggers inflammation of the small airways and significant breathing difficulties.
According to the Oxford Vaccine Group, RSV accounts for around 450,000 GP appointments, 29,000 hospital admissions and 83 deaths every year in children and adolescents in the UK, the majority in infants.
It kills between 20 and 30 youngsters and 8,000 elderly people every year.
The virus circulates in the winter months and typically peaks in December, when the health service is already at capacity.
Every year our child health services grind to a halt with high levels of RSV and other winter bugs - we now have an opportunity to turn the tide on this trend
Dr Camilla Kingdon
Symptoms include a runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing.
Parents are urged to seek emergency help if babies are not drinking enough, if a baby is visibly working hard to breathe, has pauses between breaths or starts to turn blue.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We recognise the impact that RSV has on individuals and the capacity of our NHS services.
"We are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England to explore the potential for an RSV vaccine programme for infants and older adults, in line with independent JCVI advice.
"A final decision will be made by ministers in the coming months."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Pharmaceutical company Sanofi estimates that RSV in under-fives in the UK costs £80million each year in loss of earnings, NHS costs and reduced productivity.
A jab, which has already been approved by regulators, could be given seasonally.
Symptoms of RSV
PEOPLE commonly show symptoms of the virus four to six days after being infected.
Signs include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
But symptoms can be much more subtle in very young babies, including irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties.
Most children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.
It can cause a condition called bronchiolitis in babies and young children.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis in very young infants include:
- Refusal to breastfeed or bottle-feed
- Breathing more quickly and noisily (wheezing)
- Seeming very tired, upset or inactive
- Signs of dehydration – lack of tears when crying, little or no urine in their nappy for six hours, and cool, dry skin
Source: ,
Topics