The Danish government has moved up the timeline for offering free Respiratory Syncytial (RS) virus vaccinations to pregnant women from spring 2026 to autumn 2025. This decision, announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Health, aims to protect infants from severe RS virus infections.

The initiative was originally part of the government’s finance bill presented in late August. The vaccination program is now expected to commence on October 1st of this year.

Pregnant women will be offered the vaccine during their routine check-up with their doctor in the 32nd week of pregnancy, and vaccination is possible up to and including the 36th week.

To facilitate this expedited rollout, the government has proposed an additional allocation of DKK 18.9 million in 2025, supplementing the previously earmarked DKK 35.9 million for 2026 and DKK 40.2 million annually from 2027 onwards.

Each year approximately 1300 children under one year have been hospitalised due to RS virus infection over the last decade. Approximately one-third of these hospitalised children required intensive care.

The Danish Health Authority issued a recommendation in May advocating for RS virus vaccination for pregnant women, prompting the Ministry of the Interior and Health to adopt the proposal.

Health authorities anticipate that vaccinating pregnant women will prevent a considerable number of serious illnesses and hospitalizations among infants. The vaccine works by transferring protective antibodies from the mother to the baby, providing immunity during the child’s early months.