The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued rapid scientific advice to policymakers and public health authorities on protecting infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter through immunisation and strengthened prevention efforts.

Twenty-three EU/EEA countries already recommend RSV immunisation with long-acting monoclonal antibodies, and 19 have funded programmes, with three countries using maternal vaccination exclusively and five offering maternal vaccination as an alternative to antibody-based protection.

Infants under six months are at high risk for severe RSV illness, including bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and sepsis, which can lead to hospitalization or ICU care.

Prevention strategies highlighted include vaccinating pregnant individuals to protect infants and immunising infants after birth, with priority given to premature babies and those with chronic lung conditions when universal immunisation isn’t feasible.

Health care workers’ awareness and adherence to national guidelines are emphasized as foundational for RSV prevention and control.

ECDC will continue to monitor evidence on RSV immunisation effectiveness and impact and strengthen surveillance and immunisation programmes across the EU/EEA.

Since 2022, Europe has authorized safe RSV immunisation options, including long-acting monoclonal antibodies for newborns/infants in their first winter and maternal vaccines for pregnant people to protect infants early in life.

This article is sourced from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and cites data from EU/EEA surveillance and national immunisation programmes.

RSV drives substantial pediatric hospitalizations in Europe, with about 250,000 hospitalizations annually for children under five; in the 2024/25 winter, half of RSV-positive cases were in 0–4 year-olds, 12% of those admitted to ICU, and at least one death was recorded.