Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to alleviate the effect of infant respiratory syncytial virus on (a) the NHS and (b) population health.

To alleviate the effect of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the National Health Service, Public Health England (PHE) is working with NHS England as part of its preparing and planning for the 2021 RSV season. This includes ensuring access to Synagis out of season in the event of a spring/summer outbreak and ensuring that clinicians have access to the most up to date and evidence-based guidance to support patient treatment and safe discharge from hospital. PHE monitors levels of RSV activity in the population of England and Wales and publishes information throughout the RSV season.