RCPCH Grand Round: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation update 2026

This webinar updates health professionals on the evidence behind the JCVI advice and outline the practical steps for implementation.

Speakers

  • Dr Conall Watson
  • Professor Chrissy Jones
  • Nigel Gooding
  • Mandy Matthews
  • Dr Anoo Jain
  • Laura Wilson
  • Dr Thomas Williams MRCPCH PhD

Date of Recording

July 3, 2026

Available Until

July 2, 2027

Please note that the content of this webinar represents the expertise and views of the speakers and chairs and does not necessarily represent formal College policy. The speakers are, however, referring to national and regional guidance

Useful links and resources

Q&A questions and responses

The table below contains the questions posted by the audience during the webinar (verbatim) and the written responses from the speaker panel. It may be useful to use ‘Find on page’ (CTRL + F on your keyboard) to search for a specific word or phrase relating to a question you may have.

Question

Answer

0.7mL dosing – in one administration or likely to be spilt dosing for smaller babies? If it would be more appropriate for a smaller baby to have the dose split into 2 injections, then this would be not be a problem.
Are there any data coming through showing other high risk babies apart from CLD, CHD or SCID? If there are other groups that specialist organisations feel should receive RSV immunisation, with evidence to support this then they can approach JCVI to review and discuss further.
are there going to be separate bluteq forms for Clesrivomab & nirsevimab? how do we choose which one to request for the individual baby? ( esp. for mop up clinics to avoid prescribing/ administration errors) Yes – there will be separate forms for both drugs.
are they the same price? Pharmacy department procurement teams will have access to the prices for clesrovimab and nirsevimab on the framework.
Blueteq – Infant’s chronological age (at time of treatment). Feel this data is inaccurate at time of completing the form as we are unable to predict the exact date of treatment at this point, due to needing to submit the form prior to the treatment date, and baby’s condition and discharge date being variable and often unpredictable.  So how important is the accuracy of the infant’s chronological age when inputting this on the blueteq form? Can complete Blueteq form just before treatment date or immediately afterwards.
clesrovimab doesn’t seem to have made it to the BNFC app yet, will it be added? Would expect this to be included in BNFC with it’s updates.
Could you please answer the question on screen regarding will there be anticipated stock availability issues? Both manufacturers have been contacted to discuss stock availability and we are not expecting this to be a problem this year.
If a patient was discharged last week of February and did not receive a dose can they have the dose in September catch up clinic? Yes, as this would be classed as their 1st RSV season, so if eligible they should join the catch-up clinic.
If Trusts choose to move to the cost effective choice, is there enough in the supply chain to meet this demand? Both manufacturers have been contacted to discuss stock availability and we are not expecting this to be a problem this year.
in terms of supply & procurement; is there supply of each product 50% or 100% ; will there be an issue if we all use 1 first line; will one run out? any guidance to mange stock Both manufacturers have been contacted to discuss stock availability and we are not expecting this to be a problem this year.
Is it anticipated that centres will select to use either nirsevimab or clesrovimab for the season (supplies allowing) as opposed to using/ordering both to avoid prescribing errors? That it likely, but it will be up to each centre to discuss what works for them.
Is there a more cost-effective contract price for either clesrovimab or nirsevimab that has been negotiated to prioritise NHS resources? Pharmacy department procurement teams will have access to the prices for clesrovimab and nirsevimab on the framework.
Please answer the question on timing as that affects discharge from the units from a practical point of view For infants being discharged from a neonatal unit, we would recommend administration approx 1 week prior to a planned discharge date. If the baby is being moved from a neonatal unit to a paediatric clincal area then a dose should be administered ideally at least 1 week before the transfer,
Should the mab be given to babies whilst still an inpatient who may or may not be discharged by 28th/29th Feb or is it better to not vaccinate until the following year when the baby will be in the community for the rsv season? If not discharged by end of Feb, then would suggest following these infants up in the following season catch up clinic.
Should the mab be given to babies whilst still an inpatient who may or may not be discharged by 28th/29th Feb or is it better to not vaccinate until the following year when the baby will be in the community for the rsv season? If not discharged by end of Feb, then would suggest following these infants up in the following season catch up clinic.
Table 1 in the Green Book for Chronic Lung disease and Congenital heart disease (taking into account gestational and postnatal age) was based on the cost-effectiveness of Palivizumab. Is it still valid for Nirsevimab/Clesrovimab? Yes
Table 1 in the Green Book for Chronic Lung disease and Congenital heart disease (taking into account gestational and postnatal age) was based on the cost-effectiveness of Palivizumab. Is it still valid for Nirsevimab/Clesrovimab? Yes
The most up to date  version of JCVI advice is dated 18th March 2026, not 3rd June as mentioned in the presentation. Green book RSV chapter was updated 3rd June
We have babies on heparin infusions or warfarin, should we still give it IM. The Green Book covers this in the administration section of the RSV chapter.
What are the differences in cost between Nirsevimab and Clesrovimab? Pharmacy department procurement teams will have access to the prices for clesrovimab and nirsevimab on the framework.
what would happen if there is an accident in giving the dose and the dose is not administered – i.e. user or product error, would the patient be eligible to get a replacement or does this not get reimbursed Yes – patient should still be eligible for a replacement dose.

Post-webinar feedback

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Speakers

  • Dr Conall Watson

    Consultant Epidemiologist, Public Health Infection Programmes - UK Health Security Agency

  • Professor Chrissy Jones

    Professor in Paediatric Immunity and Infection - University of Southampton

  • Nigel Gooding

    Consultant Pharmacist - Neonates and Paediatrics and Lead Pharmacist - East of England ODN

  • Mandy Matthews

    Senior Pharmacy Lead, Specialised Commissioning - NHS England

  • Dr Anoo Jain

    Consultant in Neonatal Medicine, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Honorary Treasurer of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM)

  • Laura Wilson

    Seasonal Vaccination & Strategy Unit Head - Scottish Government

  • Dr Thomas Williams MRCPCH PhD

    Senior Clinical Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh & Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

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