Laois mums and dads invited to bring babies to RSV vaccination clinics

Laois parents and guardians are advised to book early for upcoming local vaccination clinics in Portlaoise to ensure their child is protected ahead of any surge in RSV infections later in the autumn/winter.

This winter, the HSE will again offer RSV immunisation in maternity settings to all babies born in Ireland from September 1, 2025 to February 28 2026.

The HSE National Director for Health Protection, Dr Éamonn O’Moore says that every winter RSV infection causes hospitalisations, including some serious illness, especially among young infants.

“RSV is a largely seasonal respiratory illness that can affect any age group but can be particularly impactful on very young children. RSV is a significant cause of severe respiratory illness among children under two years of age and is also the most common cause of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory illness in young children.

"It can cause chest infections like bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) in infants and the risk is highest in children aged less than six months of age. The RSV immunisation programme is being delivered by trained midwives in all maternity settings after birth and before the baby is discharged and by vaccination teams in the community for children born since March 1st as well as at home for higher risk babies (including those who are premature)," he said.

Dr O'Moore added that before the programme, 4 out of every 100 infants were hospitalised due to RSV, with some infants needing special treatment in intensive care units each winter.  He said that a further 50 out of every 100 infants got RSV and many needed medical care from their GP, or the emergency department of a children’s hospital.

"I would urge parents of all eligible babies to take up the offer when the programme begins in September.” 

Parents are invited to book online for RSV immunisation clinics taking place in Laois and Offaly. The HSE said there is availability on Saturday, September 6 in Laois and Offaly:

• Vaccination Centre, St Fintan’s Campus Adjct to the Health Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois R32 ED81 10am to 4pm
• Tullamore Primary Care Centre, Church Avenue, Tullamore, Co Offaly R35 K1W4 10am to 4pm

Parents of babies born from 1st March to 31st August can book an appointment at a local community site on the RSV Immunisation page of the HSE website https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/immunisation/

The HSE adds that it is important to note that appointments will only be available from September 1 and until first week in October 2025.

READ ALSO: Laois station badly needs upgrade

“This year’s programme is a second ‘path-finder’ which will allow us to explore and analyse how best to improve health and to provide information and experience on rolling out any future programmes. It finishes at the end of February 2026 when the winter season draws to a close and RSV levels drop naturally,” added Dr O’Moore.

Almost 22,500 babies were immunised in the first year of the programme with 83% of those offered immunisation accepted it for their babies. The HSE also said that among those immunised there was a significant decrease in the impact of RSV  compared to similar babies the previous year who were not vaccinated.