Sammy Ribenfors cuddles his elder brother Joseph too young to know that he has been part of an important study which has helped dramatically cut hospital admissions.

He was one of over 500 babies in the North West and 8,000 over Europe to take part in a groundbreaking trial which found a single dose of a treatment for a respiratory infection in infants can help cut hospital admissions by more than 80 per cent.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in all infants worldwide and affects 90 per cent of children before the age of two. The virus often causes only mild illnesses, such as a cold. However, for some babies, it leads to more severe lung problems such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia and, in some extreme cases, death. 

Francesca Ribenfors, of New Mills, agreed to her son being part of the trial at Tameside Hospital. He was also randomised to receive an injection of the nirsevimab antibody vaccine. She said: “Having a premature baby in winter alongside a son in nursery made us acutely aware of the many viruses floating around and how easy it is to pick them up, so we jumped at the opportunity to take part in the study, not only to help our child but others like him who may be more susceptible.I am so pleased we had the opportunity to contribute to it and hopefully pave the way for other children to receive the vaccination and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.”

Dr Helen Purves, Paediatric Consultant at Tameside Hospital, said: “This important trial provided an excellent opportunity to undertake collaborative research, and enabled parents and families from the local area to contribute towards our learning about RSV vaccination.”

The new treatment is approved in the UK and is being considered for a national immunisation programme. Data from the trial has already been used to roll out the jab in the US and Spain this winter.