The government has updated public health information for parents of premature babies who may be offered immunisation to help protect them against respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV.
The GOV.UK resource is aimed at parents whose babies are born prematurely and are considered at risk of RSV. It explains why an RSV immunisation may be offered and refers to products including clesrovimab and nirsevimab.
The update adds a new version of the parent leaflet that includes clesrovimab. The material is designed to support families in understanding the immunisation offer for premature babies, although the government page notes that the file may not be suitable for some users of assistive technology.
RSV is identified in the government material as the infection the immunisation is intended to help protect against. The leaflet is specifically for parents of premature babies, rather than a general public information document for all infants.
Parents and carers can view, download or order printed copies of the leaflet free of charge through the Find Public Health Resources service. The government says the resource can be found at GOV.UK’s public health resources website, where printed copies can also be ordered.
The leaflet is listed under product code 1387 447H EN 001. The government advises people who contact the service by phone or email to have the product code available.
The update forms part of the government’s wider public health resource system, which provides downloadable and printed information for the public and professionals. The source page also includes standard GOV.UK information about cookies, privacy choices and avoiding the submission of personal or financial details through feedback forms.
No additional clinical data, eligibility figures or rollout dates were included in the source material. Parents who are offered RSV immunisation for their baby should use the official leaflet and advice from their healthcare team to understand what is being offered and why.
