Pregnant women across the West Midlands are being urged to get a new vaccine to protect their baby.

The UK Health Security Agency and Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation are encouraging expectant mothers to accept the upcoming RSV vaccination, which will be introduced in September.

Studies suggest this programme could prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 emergency department attendances by infants.

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Paul Fisher, consultant in health protection at UKHSA West Midlands, said: "RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness.

"The virus can lead to pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, a chest infection, requiring hospitalisation and intensive care in severe cases.

"From 1 September this year, pregnant women can have a vaccine to help protect their babies against RSV.

"Studies have shown that the RSV vaccine is very safe for pregnant women and their babies."

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: "This is a vitally important study demonstrating the huge impact the RSV vaccine will have.

"The NHS will be rolling out the vaccine from (Sunday) September 1."

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, said: "These two new RSV vaccine programmes - one for pregnant women and another for older adults as they turn 75 - offer huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV."