What is the RSV vaccination during pregnancy?

After this vaccination during pregnancy, a pregnant person makes antibodies against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These antibodies are passed on to the baby through the placenta. That means that the baby is protected against RSV for about six months after being born. This is similar to the vaccination against flu (influenza) and the vaccination against whooping cough (pertussis). These are also available to pregnant people to protect their baby against illness in the first few months after birth.

Babies born between November and March

Vaccination against RSV during pregnancy is mainly useful if you know that your child will be born between November and March. This is when RSV is at its peak.

Between weeks 24 and 36 of pregnancy

The vaccination can be given between week 24 and week 36 of pregnancy. Research shows that the vaccination protects the baby more effectively for longer if it is given after week 30 of pregnancy, rather than before that point. This applies to a pregnancy that lasts a standard 40 weeks. If the vaccination is given later in pregnancy and the baby is born prematurely, protection may not be fully effective yet.

Research also shows that the RSV antibody injection for babies offers better protection than the maternal vaccination against RSV during pregnancy. This applies regardless of when the vaccination is given during pregnancy. This is one of the reasons why the Health Council recommends offering free RSV antibody injections to all babies, rather than giving the RSV vaccination during pregnancy.

Safe and officially approved

The vaccination against RSV is safe and has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Vaccines are always tested rigorously before approval. Because the vaccine is relatively new, possible side effects are monitored closely.

Mild side effects

The most common reactions reported after the RSV vaccination during pregnancy are: pain at the injection site, tiredness and muscle pain. The side effects are generally mild and go away within two days. The vaccine is also safe for the baby – before and after it is born. For more information about the side effects, see the vaccine information leaflet.

Research on safety and side effects

Any side effects caused by medicines or vaccinations can be reported to the Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb . Lareb also closely monitors the safety of vaccination during pregnancy. In addition, Lareb researches the use of medicines and vaccinations during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can take part too. For more information and registration, go to Mothers of Tomorrow (Moeders van Morgen).

How can I get the vaccination during pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and would like to get the vaccination against RSV, contact your GP, the vaccination department or travel vaccination clinic at the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs), or a vaccination centre. You will need to cover the costs of the vaccination yourself. The vaccine is called Abrysvo and costs about 250-300 euros, plus any costs of the consultation, VAT (9%), and any fees for administering the injection. Ask the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD), vaccination centre or chemist about the total costs.

RSV antibody injection for babies

There is also an immunisation for babies: the RSV antibody injection . As of September 2025, it is offered for free to babies in their first year of life. Babies born on or after 1 April 2025 are eligible. It is part of the National Immunisation Programme.

FAQ

The RSV vaccination during pregnancy is intended to protect my baby against RSV. How effective is that protection?

The RSV vaccination during pregnancy prevents about 70-80% of severe RSV infections in babies in the first six months after birth. Out of every 100 babies who would become seriously ill from RSV if they were not protected by maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy, only 20 to 30 babies will become seriously ill from RSV after that vaccination. In other words, RSV vaccination during pregnancy does not offer 100% protection against RSV. But it does mean that babies are less likely to become seriously ill from the virus.

Sometimes the protection is less effective. This happens if the mother has severely impaired immunity, or if the baby is born prematurely not long after maternal RSV vaccination. In that case, the mother has not been able to share enough antibodies with the baby. In that context, it probably also matters how premature the baby was (how many weeks early).

Can I get the RSV vaccination at the same time as the vaccinations against whooping cough and flu?

The RSV vaccination and the flu vaccination can be given at the same time during pregnancy. The recommendation is to leave an interval of two weeks between the whooping cough vaccination and the RSV vaccination. Research shows that the body produces slightly lower levels of antibodies in response to the whooping cough vaccination if it is given at the same time as the RSV vaccination. That is why this two-week interval is recommended.

Are there reasons not to get the RSV vaccination during pregnancy?

You may not receive the RSV vaccination if you are allergic to one or more of the ingredients in the Abrysvo vaccine. The ingredients are listed in the vaccine information leaflet.

Yes. The RSV vaccination is safe and has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Yes. The RSV vaccination is safe and has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Because the vaccine is relatively new, possible side effects are monitored closely. Before the vaccine was approved, the manufacturer conducted its own research. In that clinical study, there were slightly more premature births in the group that received the RSV vaccination during pregnancy (5.7%), compared to the group that did not receive the RSV vaccination during pregnancy (4.7%). The numbers were too low to say whether or not there was a link between premature births and the RSV vaccination. 

In a number of European countries, the RSV vaccination is already available during pregnancy to protect babies. Those countries have focused extra attention on the number of premature births after RSV vaccination. There has been no association found between RSV vaccination and premature birth in this context.

Is the RSV vaccination helpful for my baby?

The RSV vaccination during pregnancy protects the baby against serious illness from RSV for about six months after birth. RSV occurs mainly from November to March. For that reason, babies born between November and March are most likely to benefit from a maternal RSV vaccination. A baby born in April or May is not likely to benefit much from maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy. 

Keep in mind that the maternal vaccination must be administered at least 2 weeks before birth, so the baby will get enough antibodies during pregnancy. If your baby is due in early November, then you should get the RSV vaccination before mid-October. Contact your GP, the vaccination department or travel vaccination clinic at the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs), or a vaccination centre to ask about whether RSV vaccination is advisable in your situation.

Which is more effective: RSV vaccination during pregnancy or the RSV antibody injection for babies?

There has never been a direct comparison of RSV vaccination for babies and RSV vaccination during pregnancy. Research shows that RSV vaccination during pregnancy gives the baby just a little less protection than giving RSV antibody injections to babies directly. This is one of the reasons why the Health Council recommends[JP2]  offering free injections against RSV to all babies, rather than giving the RSV vaccination during pregnancy. 

As of September 2025, the RSV antibody injection is offered for free to babies in the Netherlands in their first year of life. Babies born on or after 1 April 2025 are eligible. It is part of the National Immunisation Programme. Pregnant people can also choose to protect their baby by getting the maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy, at their own expense. 

Sometimes the health insurance company will cover part of the costs. Even if you get an RSV vaccination during pregnancy, your baby can still also get a free RSV antibody injection after it is born. You can talk to your health insurer about whether it is useful to get an extra maternal vaccination in your situation.

Besides vaccination, what else can I do to protect my baby from RSV?

The following recommendations may help protect your baby from RSV:

• Are you in the final weeks of your pregnancy? Whenever possible, avoid contact with people who are coughing or sniffling.
• Whenever possible, make sure that your baby does not have any contact with people who are coughing or sniffling.
• Do not let people visit you and your baby in the first couple weeks after birth unless they are not coughing or sneezing.