Health systems need to use the new tools to address RSV, a leading cause of baby hospitalisations

From being a largely unknown pathogen, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is now almost a household word – and a fearful one for families with infants and young children at risk. But new solutions, such as long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and maternal vaccination, both recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), could dramatically alter the RSV landscape.  

Scientific experts and health policy advocates explored these new preventative tools for RSV and their initial uptake in  Italy and Spain at a recent panel discussion at the recent European World Vaccines Congress.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are the leading cause of death, and hospitalisation for infants globally. The global incidence of RSV-associated LRTI is estimated at over 30 million cases in children under the age of five, resulting in 3.2 million hospitalisations.