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RSV Prevention
Understanding RSV beyond the Hospital Walls
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of lower respiratory tract infections and hospitalization in infants worldwide. Yet, severe RSV disease is increasingly preventable. With effective prevention strategies now available, the challenge is no longer whether we can protect infants; it is whether health systems can deliver that protection equitably, consistently, and at scale.
The Reality of Primary Care
RSV Prevention in Everyday Pediatric Care
Every RSV season places significant pressure on general practitioners, pediatricians, families, and health systems. While hospitals manage the most severe cases, the burden begins much earlier: in primary care, where healthcare professionals are often the first to recognize RSV, guide families, and support prevention. Strengthening awareness, equipping healthcare professionals, and expanding access to effective prevention are essential to reducing the impact of RSV and protecting every infant.
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RSV Begins in Primary Care
By the time an infant reaches hospital, they are often already seriously ill. Prevention begins earlier — in primary care, during pregnancy and the newborn period, where GPs, midwives, and pediatricians are the front line.
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The Effects Last Beyond Infancy
RSV is not over when the acute infection clears. Infants hospitalized in their first year face higher rates of respiratory illness, wheezing, and asthma for years afterwards, with a lasting toll on children and families.
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Coverage Determines Impact
The benefit of any prevention strategy depends directly on how many infants it reaches. At least 90%coverage with monoclonal antibodies cuts hospitalizations by more than80%, but the impact falls sharply as coverage drops.
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RSV Fuels Other Infections
RSV rarely acts alone. It creates the conditions for pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, and ear infections — driving further illness and antibiotic use — so preventing RSV protects against far more than bronchiolitis.
Key Findings
Evidence for Action
This meeting report from the December 2025 LifeCourse Prevention Summit examines the latest evidence, practical recommendations, and strategies for advancing RSV prevention and protecting every infant.
Download the ReportRSV is a serious, preventable disease — and for the first time, effective tools to protect every infant are available.
Every Infant Needs Protection
Most infants hospitalized with RSV are healthy, full-term babies, and around half are born outside the RSV season. Protecting only high-risk infants leaves the majority exposed — prevention must be universal.
Prevention Works
Safe and effective tools now exist. In real-world programs, long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccination have cut RSV hospitalizations by more than 80%.
Coverage Drives Impact
Effective tools only deliver at scale. Reaching at least 90% of infants is needed to cut hospitalizations by more than 80%; below that threshold, the population-level benefit falls away.
Education Builds Confidence
Parents look to the professionals they trust. Acceptance depends on well-informed pediatricians, midwives, and nurses who can speak confidently about RSV risk and the safety and efficacy of prevention.
Awareness Saves Lives
RSV is still widely mistaken for a common cold. Clear, sustained public awareness so families understand the risk and know that prevention exists — is essential to reaching high coverage.
Close the Global Gap
97% of RSV deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where these tools remain out of reach. Global advocacy and funding, including through Gavi, are needed so every infant can be protected.
Resources
Insights, Reports & Expert Perspectives
Explore a collection of policy briefings, expert interviews, reports and newsletters from the LifeCourse Prevention Initiative.
The Hidden Burden of Respiratory Viruses in Older Adults
Respiratory viruses in older adults, the systemic consequences of infection, and the case for expanding vaccination programs as a health system imperative.
December 5, 2025
Navigating Vaccination in Marginalized and Religious Communities
How trust and mistrust shape vaccination decisions in marginalized religious communities and practical approaches to sharing responsibility for community health.
December 5, 2025
Strategies Against RSV, Influenza, and SARS-CoV-2
The burden of RSV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, the systemic complications these viruses trigger, and the case for lifelong integrated immunization strategies.
December 5, 2025
Treatment for Seasonal Respiratory Diseases, Diagnosis and Antibiotic Stewardship
Diagnostic uncertainty in respiratory infections and evidence-based approaches for antibiotic stewardship to combat resistance.
November 29, 2024
Trends in Respiratory Illnesses and the Landscape of Preventive Interventions
Current respiratory syncytial virus epidemiology and breakthrough preventive options, including vaccines and monoclonal antibodies across the lifecourse.
November 29, 2024
Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia in the ICU: Severe Cases and Outcomes
Clinical analysis of severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia cases requiring intensive care intervention, examining treatment protocols, long-term consequences, and strategies to improve patient outcomes.
November 29, 2024
The Burden of Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia in Primary Care
Resource utilization and clinical management of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in community settings, with practical insights for optimizing primary care response.
November 29, 2024
The Impact of Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia on Child Health and Families
The burden of bronchiolitis and pneumonia on families, emotional, financial, and social implications alongside clinical consequences.
November 29, 2024
RSV In Young Infants- New Paths for Immunisation
Approaches to protect infants from RSV, recent advancements in maternal immunization and passive antibody protection strategies for newborns.
December 1, 2023
RSV and Shingles Vaccines in Adults
RSV and shingles vaccination for adults, clinical evidence, implementation, and the impact on reducing disease burden in older populations.
December 1, 2023
RSV All Infant Immunisation Implementation in Spain
Spain's RSV immunization program for infants, implementation strategies, healthcare system integration, and early outcome data.
December 1, 2023
Parent Stories For RSV - The Need for Better Awareness and Prevention
Personal accounts from parents of children affected by RSV, highlighting the critical need for public awareness and prevention strategies.
December 1, 2023
Antibody Levels And Duration Of Protection Against RSV With Different Strategies
Presentation from the 8th Lifecourse Summit comparing different RSV prevention approaches, analyzing the antibody response patterns and duration of protection offered by vaccines and monoclonal antibodies across various populations.
December 1, 2023
Easing the Burden of RSV- Implementing Immunisation Programs
Expert insights on implementing effective RSV immunization programs, addressing implementation challenges, healthcare system integration, and strategies to maximize public health impact across populations.
December 1, 2023
High Frequency Of Viral Co-Detections In Acute Bronchiolitis
Multiple viral pathogen detection in acute bronchiolitis and clinical implications and management challenges when RSV occurs alongside other respiratory viruses.
December 2, 2022
The Global RSV Vaccine And mAb Landscape
Overview of the global RSV prevention pipeline, detailing vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibody developments across different populations.
December 2, 2022
Can We Eradicate Meningococcal Disease?
WHO's global strategy to defeat meningitis, current progress and feasibility of eventual eradication of meningococcal disease through coordinated international efforts.
December 2, 2022
The Burden Of RSV In Healthy Children
How RSV affects healthy pediatric populations, infection rates, clinical outcomes, and the impact on children without underlying health conditions.
December 2, 2022
Strategies To Counter Limited Knowledge And Awareness Of RSV Infections
The knowledge gap around RSV infections, effective communication strategies for healthcare professionals and increased awareness and prevention.
December 2, 2022
RSV Prevention: Lessons From Emerging Threats And Global Health Security
Lessons from emerging infectious disease threats to RSV prevention strategies and global health security approaches for more effective respiratory virus control.
December 2, 2022
RSV Surveillance In The Netherlands And In Europe
RSV monitoring systems in the Netherlands & Europe, methodologies, data integration, and implications for public health response strategies.
December 2, 2022
Prospective RSV Immunization
RSV immunization approaches, clinical trial data and the potential impact of new maternal vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for infant protection.
December 2, 2022
Prevention Of Pediatric Influenza. How Do We Get There?
Approaches to improve childhood influenza vaccination, barriers to uptake and innovative strategies to protect children from seasonal flu.
December 2, 2022
Perspectives To Strengthen The Need For RSV Protection On All Infants
Multidisciplinary perspectives on universal RSV protection for all infants, clinical evidence, public health impacts, and implementation for comprehensive coverage.
December 2, 2022
Meningococcal Disease And Meningitis Vaccinations: What Are The Remaining Barriers?
Challenges in achieving meningococcal disease prevention, access issues, policy gaps, and interventions to improve protection.
December 2, 2022
Lessons From Previous Influenza Seasons
Evidence-based analysis of historical influenza data, extracting key insights on virus patterns, vaccination effectiveness, and preparedness strategies to improve responses to future seasonal outbreaks.
December 2, 2022
Impact on families: A Parent's Story of RSV
Presentation from the 7th Lifecourse Summit featuring a parent's first-hand account of their family's experience with RSV infection, highlighting the emotional, financial, and long-term impacts of respiratory syncytial virus.
December 2, 2022
Epidemiology Of RSV Infections In The Community
Critical examination of RSV infection patterns, knowledge gaps in community-based disease burden and transmission dynamics that impact public health response.
December 2, 2022
Preventive Approaches For RSV-Associated Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALPI) In Infants
Preventive strategies for RSV-associated respiratory infections in infants, effectiveness and implementation considerations across healthcare settings.
December 2, 2022
Communicating The Burden Of RSV To Policymakers
Presentation from the 7th Lifecourse Summit providing strategies for effectively conveying the public health and economic impact of RSV to policy decision-makers, emphasizing data presentation and policy advocacy approaches.
December 2, 2022
Antibody Levels and Duration of Protection Against RSV
Scientific examination of antibody response and duration of protection against RSV using various preventive approaches
December 2, 2022
RSV Burden In The Hospital Setting And The Impact On Healthcare Resources
RSV-associated hospitalizations and their impact on healthcare resources, staffing, costs, and system capacity, with implications for prevention and management policies.
December 3, 2021
RSV Burden In Private Practice And The Wider Impact On Healthcare Resources
RSV's burden in private healthcare settings, resource utilization, clinical management challenges, and system-wide impacts.
December 3, 2021
RSV Bronchiolitis: Present and Future
RSV bronchiolitis management, emerging prevention and treatment approaches, including promising vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies.
December 3, 2021
Raising Awareness On The Importance Of Meningococcal Vaccinations
Strategies to renew public and healthcare professional focus on meningococcal disease prevention, awareness challenges and communication approaches after COVID-19.
December 3, 2021
How Can We Establish The Importance Of Protecting Against Meningococcal Strains To All Types And Populations?
Strategies to communicate the importance of protection against all meningococcal strains across diverse populations and age groups.
December 3, 2021
Analysing The Impact Of RSV In The Healthcare Setting
How RSV infections strain healthcare resources, insights on hospitalization patterns, cost implications, and strategies to mitigate system burden through prevention.
December 3, 2021
How Self-Isolating Students Could Mistake Meningitis Symptoms For COVID-19
The dangers of students mistaking meningitis symptoms for COVID-19, and strategies to improve awareness and early intervention on campuses.
December 4, 2020
The Global Roadmap To Defeat Meningitis By 2030
WHO's strategic roadmap to defeat meningitis globally by 2030, key priorities, implementation challenges, and collaborative approaches to prevention and control.
December 4, 2020
The Control Of Meningococcal Disease - The Impact Of COVID-19
Pandemic disruptions to meningococcal prevention programs, changing disease patterns, surveillance challenges, and strategies to maintain immunization services.
December 4, 2020
Parental Perception Of Influenza And Flu Vaccinations In Romania - Results From Survey
Data from 13,000 Romanian parents regarding influenza vaccination attitudes and behaviors, offering insights into hesitancy factors and intervention strategies.
December 4, 2020
Meningococcal Disease And Meningococcal Vaccination In Times Of COVID-19
Challenges to meningococcal disease prevention during the pandemic, strategies to ensure vaccination coverage while managing competing healthcare priorities.
December 4, 2020
Lessons Learned From Previous Influenza Seasons To Enhance Vaccine Uptake In The Epidemic
Influenza vaccination data to identify effective strategies for improving uptake during epidemics, with practical applications for COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.
December 4, 2020
Interactions Between Seasonal Influenza And COVID-19
Relationship between seasonal influenza and COVID-19, the safety, efficacy, and practical considerations of administering both vaccines simultaneously.
December 4, 2020
Strategy Matters - How to Protect Every Infant
Prof. Susanna Esposito, cuts through the debate on RSV prevention strategies with a clear bottom line: every infant needs protection — the question is how to get there.
December 5, 2025
The RSV March - Protecting Every Baby
Prof. Roy K. Philip, explains why RSV is so dangerous in the first months of life and shares the remarkable results of Ireland's Pathfinder program, which reduced children's ward admissions by up to 74%.
December 5, 2025
The Real Burden of RSV
Dr. Marco Del Riccio, makes the case that RSV is a multisystem disease — and that cardiologists, geriatricians, and policymakers need to pay attention.
December 5, 2025
RSV and Pneumococcus- A Dangerous Combination
Prof. George Syrogiannopoulos, brings a dimension of RSV prevention that is often overlooked: the dangerous interaction between RSV infection and pneumococcal disease.
December 5, 2025
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RSV Prevention Report 2024
This report presents findings from a survey of primary care providers and pediatricians, examining the burden of RSV across diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It reveals rising case severity compared with prior seasons, underuse of diagnostic testing, and inconsistent vaccination recommendations. The report closes with recommendations to strengthen diagnostic capacity, standardize treatment protocols, and expand education for frontline providers.
April 22, 2025
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RSV Prevention Report 2025
This policy report presents a comprehensive, evidence-based review and policy recommendations for RSV prevention in infants and young children. It draws on epidemiological data, clinical trial results, real-world effectiveness studies and the lived experiences of families affected by RSV to present a comprehensive picture of the burden this virus imposes and the strategies available to reduce it, also addressing the important and under-recognized interaction between RSV and pneumococcal disease.
May 1, 2026
Volume VI - RSV Prevention - RSV has Consequences Beyond the Respiratory System
RSV drives pneumococcal disease and shapes lung function into adulthood. Why its lasting burden is the strongest case for early universal prevention.
July 2, 2026
Volume IV - RSV Prevention - The Evidence is Clear: Universal RSV Protection Works - But Only At High Coverage
The tools for RSV prevention work; coverage decides the impact. Multi-country evidence on reaching every infant, from the 2025 LifeCourse Prevention Summit.
May 28, 2026
Volume II - RSV Prevention - RSV is Not Just a Cold; Prevention Must Therefore be Universal
Most infants hospitalized with RSV are otherwise healthy. Why universal prevention outperforms targeted strategies - insights from the 2025 LifeCourse Summit.
May 14, 2026