A hospital and community health service has delivered the first-ever respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines to pregnant women in West Cumbria.

North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) is offering the vaccine to pregnant women who are 28 weeks pregnant or over, alongside other jabs including the seasonal flu jab and whooping cough (pertussis) jab.

Its first clinic was held at West Cumberland Hospital, while the team will also be at Penrith Hospital on Wednesday, and at the Cumberland Infirmary, in Carlisle, on Thursday.

Gayle Howarth, clinical lead and specialist nurse in vaccinations, said: "RSV infections can occur all year round; cases usually peak in winter, so it’s important that those eligible take up the offer as soon as possible this autumn when offered.

"RSV is a very common virus, and most children will have had it by the time they are two.

"For some children though, this means hospitalisation - this is why this vaccine is so important."

Denise Lightfoot, consultant midwife at NCIC, said: "One of the best things a pregnant woman can do to protect themselves and their baby is to have all of the vaccines offered to them, including RSV, flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19."

Full details about vaccines for pregnant women will be available from community midwives and antenatal clinics.