Parents in Waterford urged to get babies protected as RSV immunisation clinics open

Parents across Waterford are being urged to avail of the HSE's free RSV immunisation programme as clinics get underway this month.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of serious illness in infants each winter, with some babies requiring intensive care.

Last year's rollout of the immunisation programme led to a sharp fall in hospitalisations, emergency department visits and intensive care cases.

Dr Lucinda Ryan, Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine with the HSE Dublin and South East, said: "Every winter, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection causes serious illness, including hospitalisations, especially among young infants.

"Before this programme's introduction, each winter, four out of every 100 infants were hospitalised because of RSV, with some infants needing special treatment in intensive care units."

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In Waterford, babies can receive the jab at the maternity department of University Hospital Waterford, while community immunisation clinics are also running weekly in Dungarvan, Ferrybank and at the HSE's Waterford Vaccination Centre in Kilcohan.

How to get your baby immunised:

• Parents and guardians of babies born from March 1 to August 31, 2025, can book an appointment at hse.ie.
• These appointments will be available from September 1, 2025, until the first week of October 2025.
• Parents and guardians are advised to book early to ensure their child is protected ahead of any surge in RSV infections later in the autumn/winter. For babies born from September 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, their parents and guardians will be offered immunisation before the baby leaves the maternity hospital.

Local clinic times over the coming weeks are:

• Tuesdays: Dungarvan Primary Care Centre, 10am–4pm
• Wednesdays: Waterford Vaccination Centre, Old St. Martin's School, Kilcohan, 10am–4pm
• Thursdays: Ferrybank Primary Care Centre, 10am–4pm

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Dr Brian Keating, Public Health Specialist Registrar, said the programme not only protects infants but also helps hospitals cope with the winter surge.

“As well as protecting young babies against serious illness, the RSV immunisation programme will safeguard vital hospital paediatric services during the busy winter months by limiting preventable admissions caused by RSV related illness."

The jab is free of charge, delivered into the baby's leg, and provides protection for the duration of the winter.

Last winter, almost 22,500 babies across Ireland were immunised, with an 83% uptake rate. The HSE recorded a 76% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations among those who received the jab.