Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): personal testimony by Rachael Thomas

Thomas, Rachael (2025) Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): personal testimony by Rachael Thomas. In: Closing Immunisation Gaps: A Comprehensive EU Framework for Respiratory Infection Prevention, 15 October 2025, European Parliament (Brussels, Belgium) and online. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

As part of a comprehensive EU framework for respiratory infection prevention, Rachael Thomas, Policing Apprenticeships Lecturer at the University of Cumbria, was invited to speak in the European Parliament at the Steering Group on Prevention of Respiratory Infections annual event. Rachael spoke about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a viral infection of the lungs. In the UK, over 80% of children are likely to be infected before the age of two. For many, it is mild, but it can be severe and ultimately fatal (UK Health Security Agency, 2021). In 2010, Rachael’s son Alexander contracted the virus and lost his life at just 13 weeks old. Rachael is the UK representative on the patient advisory board and seeks to raise awareness of RSV. Rachael reflected on the loss of Alexander as a powerful reminder of the human cost of preventable illness and the urgency for EU action. She received a standing ovation for her talk.

Video of Rachel's talk here (43:15 to 54:15): https://www.linkedin.com/events/acomprehensiveeuframeworkforres7384152214384111616/theater/

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Departments:	Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership > Policing and Criminology
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	22 Oct 2025 09:39
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2025 09:42
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/9133

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