Jabs for pregnant women to protect their babies from a breathing virus in the first six months of life are now being given on the NHS.

It is the first year that RSV vaccinations against respiratory syncytial virus is widely available for women who are more than 28 weeks into their pregnancy.

Those registered with the Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS hospitals trust are being contacted and offered the jabs by appointment at the antenatal clinics at Queen’s and King George hospitals — or just walk in, seven days a week.

Natalie Haggis, an education assistant at the NHS trust, had the vaccine herself at Queen’s.

“I was worried about RSV as my baby is due in winter,” she admitted. “So I was all for it when I found out there was a vaccine. It protects the baby, protects me and is one less thing to worry about.”

The virus is usually mild — but can lead to severe bronchiolitis for newborns at risk.

One quick jab at 28 weeks reduces the risk by 70 per cent in the first six months of life. Pregnant women are being urged to speak to their midwife to find out more about the vaccination.