PARENTS in Basingstoke are being urged to support a new respiratory virus study looking into the UK’s leading cause of infant hospitalisation, following a 'stark increase' in cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) in the borough.

Taking place at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (HHFT) Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals, the ground-breaking HARMONIE study will look at how strongly babies can be protected from serious illness caused by RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

Those taking part will be given a single dose of nirsevimab – monoclonal antibody immunisation.

HHFT said its emergency and paediatric departments have seen a 'stark increase' in RSV cases in babies across all sites.

Madiha Aziz, a paediatric doctor at HHFT, put forward her son to take part in the study.

She said: “Working in paediatrics, I see a lot of poorly babies come into the hospital with respiratory illness and it is very often due to RSV infection.

“When I heard that the study was taking place, I didn’t hesitate. I felt the need to contribute in any way that I could, knowing that it will be helping to reduce the severity of RSV infection for babies in the future, including my own.

“My son was 11 months old when we signed up for it, and taking part has been so easy. You have an initial meeting to find out which group your child will be in and everything else you can do in the comfort of your own home, filling out some questions each month through an app and a phone call after a year.

“Taking part doesn’t seem like much, but it will have a huge impact.”

The doctor added: “Sometimes it’s difficult to enrol into something new but something that gave me confidence was that the vaccine wasn’t new, it’s been tested in 3,000 babies and showed promising results. There was a safety margin which made it easier to participate.”

Anyone interested in finding out more or signing up can visit the study website or email harmoniestudy@hhft.nhs.uk.