Jo Goldsmith, a children’s nurse from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, has become an advocate for respiratory syncytial virus vaccination after her daughter Phoebe contracted the illness days after birth. Goldsmith reported that her daughter developed severe symptoms including rapid breathing and significant congestion, leading to hospitalization during the Christmas period. Phoebe was eventually diagnosed with RSV-positive bronchiolitis and required admission to the hospital’s high dependency unit. Although the infant recovered from the acute infection, she experienced longer-term complications including repeated hospitalizations for chest problems and hearing loss.
The experience prompted Goldsmith to encourage other pregnant women to receive the RSV vaccine, noting that the vaccination was not available during her own pregnancy but stating she would have chosen to be vaccinated had the option existed. She described the ordeal as “the most traumatic thing” her family had endured, particularly regarding the uncertainty surrounding her daughter’s condition and the frightening symptoms she witnessed.
According to health data, RSV causes substantial healthcare demand in Wales during typical seasons. In children under two years old, the virus is responsible for approximately 7,000 to 9,500 general practitioner appointments and 2,300 to 2,600 hospital admissions annually. In adults over 75, RSV is estimated to generate 7,000 to 9,000 GP appointments, 700 to 1,000 hospital admissions, and 400 to 600 deaths each year.
RSV vaccinations were introduced in Wales in September 2024. The vaccine is now offered routinely year-round to adults aged 75 and over and to pregnant women starting at 28 weeks of pregnancy. This autumn, the vaccination program was 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, has emphasized that RSV vaccination should be obtained alongside flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the winter months, as each protects against different viruses.
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