HSE urges Donegal parents to book RSV Immunisation appointment
Appointments available from November 17 until December 12
The HSE is urging parents of babies born in Donegal from March 1 to August 31, 2025, to book an appointment at an RSV Immunisation Clinic in Donegal.
New RSV immunisation appointments will be available from November 17 to December 12, at clinics in Donegal.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common virus that causes coughs and colds, and it is the main cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in very young children.
The RSV immunisation programme has been successful in recent years, with 22,500 babies immunised in 2024, resulting in a 65% reduction of total RSV cases and a 76% reduction in babies requiring hospitalisation.
Immunisation is provided free of charge and is provided through an injection into the baby’s leg, which will protect them against RSV throughout the winter.
Dr Áine McNamara, Regional Director of Public Health, HSE West and North West, said: “The HSE has RSV immunisation clinics running across the West and North West region over the coming weeks to help make it easy and convenient for parents with young babies to avail of this immunisation, free of charge.
“We know RSV immunisation works. Immunisation is the most effective and safest way to protect your baby from RSV this winter.”
“The RSV infection can cause serious illness, necessitating hospitalisation, especially among young infants.
“Prior to the introduction of the programme, each winter, four out of every 100 infants were hospitalised due to RSV, with some babies needing special treatment in intensive care units. A further 50 out of every 100 infants were infected with RSV, with many needing medical care from their GP, pharmacist, or paediatric emergency department.”
Appointments can be booked at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/rsv/immunisation/