The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched a vaccination programme to battle a respiratory virus.

Starting this month, the trust is urging pregnant women and the elderly to get vaccinated against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

The initiative includes a vaccine for expecting women over 28 weeks pregnant to protect their newborns.

There will also be a regular programme for those over 75, and a one-time campaign for people aged 75 to 79, who face a higher health risk from RSV, following guidance from the Joint Committee on vaccination and immunisation.

RSV affects around 90 per cent of children within the first two years of their life, although many remain unaware of it.

While the virus usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, it can lead to severe lung infections such as pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis - a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide.

Annually, RSV accounts for about 30,000 hospitalisations of children under five and is responsible for 20 to 30 infant deaths.

Almost half of the hospital admissions for children younger than one year relate to RSV.

In the over-75s, RSV leads to roughly 9,000 hospital admissions.

The RSV initiative could dramatically reduce hospital bed use and prevent hundreds of annual deaths.

More than 75,000 people in Devon qualify for the vaccine.

Pregnant women and those over 28 weeks pregnant will be invited for an RSV vaccine at vaccination centres.

These centres, where feasible, are being arranged alongside community midwifery clinics throughout the Royal Devon’s jurisdiction.

The timings, dates, and venues of these clinics will vary monthly, advertised via social media and a Google calendar.

Older adults will be contacted by their GPs.

Carolyn Mills, Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal Devon said: "Many people may not know about RSV, but it is a very serious illness, causing thousands of babies and older people to spend time in hospital over winter.

"That’s why it is so important for everyone who is eligible to make sure they get their jab while it’s available in September and beyond.

"A single vaccination will prevent older people from becoming seriously ill and will help pregnant women to protect the lives of their unborn babies."