Midwives from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust are urging pregnant women to take up a new vaccine to protect their babies.

The RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine will be offered from September and is said to protect babies from 'serious respiratory illnesses'.

RSV is an 'extremely common' virus that is 'fairly harmless' to children, usually causing mild, cold-like symptoms.

However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, and is a leading cause of hospitalisation and even death.

Denise Lightfoot, consultant midwife at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "As midwives, we know how serious RSV can be to young babies.

"I would urge all pregnant women to take up the offer of the free vaccine to help protect their baby.

"Babies are extremely vulnerable, particularly in those first twelve weeks, and are too young to be vaccinated themselves.

"Therefore, mothers who have the vaccine during pregnancy are offering their baby the best protection.

"The vaccine is extremely effective, it gives the immune system a boost so that it begins to produce more antibodies against the virus.

"These then pass through the placenta to help protect baby from birth.

"Breastfeeding continues this protection."

RSV can be contracted at any time of year, but it is most prevalent in the colder months.

The virus adds 'significant pressure' to hospitals during the busy winter months.

RSV accounts for approximately 33,500 hospitalisations annually in children aged under five years old in the UK alone.

It is estimated that 20,000 of those admissions are for children under the age of one, with RSV being responsible for around 20-30 infant deaths each year in the UK.

All pregnant women will be invited to have the vaccine once they reach 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Full details will be available from community midwives and antenatal clinics.