Jo Goldsmith is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) after her daughter, Phoebe, became seriously ill with the virus shortly after birth. Ms Goldsmith said she was told to prepare for the "worst" when Phoebe, then five days old, developed RSV positive bronchiolitis and was admitted to a high dependency unit.
Phoebe, who is now four, recovered but faced subsequent hospital admissions for chest problems and her hearing was affected. Ms Goldsmith, a children's nurse and health visitor from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, stated that the vaccine was not available during her pregnancy but she "definitely would have had it."
RSV vaccinations were introduced in Wales in September 2024. They are routinely offered year-round to pregnant women from 28 weeks to protect newborn babies, and to all adults aged 75 and over. This autumn, the vaccine offer has also been extended to higher-risk adults aged 65 to 74, including those who are immunosuppressed or have chronic respiratory disease.
Nerys Evans, Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, also encouraged people to get vaccinated against Covid-19, flu, and RSV ahead of winter. The NHS states that RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, which can be serious for babies and older adults.