RSV in Infants: WHO Recommendations & Protection
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its inaugural position paper advocating immunization strategies to shield infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a primary source of acute lower...
- globally, RSV leads to approximately 100,000 infant deaths and over 3.6 million hospitalizations each year among children under 5, wiht about half of the fatalities occurring in infants...
- The WHO's recommendations, detailed in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, focus on two immunization options: a maternal RSV vaccine administered to pregnant women during their third trimester and a...
The World health Organization (WHO) now recommends RSV immunization for infants, a critical step to combat a leading cause of severe respiratory infections. These new guidelines focus on protecting vulnerable newborns using maternal vaccines adn monoclonal antibodies; a move designed to reduce hospitalizations and save lives. Each year, RSV leads to hundreds of thousands of infant deaths and millions of hospitalizations globally. This guidance from WHO, detailed in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, highlights two key options: an RSV vaccine for pregnant women and a monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, for infants. News Directory 3 is committed to providing up-to-the-minute health data. Discovering these strategies offers hope for a healthier future for children.
WHO Recommends RSV Immunization for Infants to Combat Respiratory Virus
Updated May 31, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its inaugural position paper advocating immunization strategies to shield infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a primary source of acute lower respiratory infections in children worldwide. The WHO recommends RSV immunization to protect vulnerable infants.
globally, RSV leads to approximately 100,000 infant deaths and over 3.6 million hospitalizations each year among children under 5, wiht about half of the fatalities occurring in infants younger than 6 months. A disproportionate 97% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to essential medical support is limited.
The WHO’s recommendations, detailed in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, focus on two immunization options: a maternal RSV vaccine administered to pregnant women during their third trimester and a long-acting monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, given to infants at birth or just before or during the RSV season.
Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, emphasized the impact of RSV immunization. “The WHO-recommended RSV immunization products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reduce hospitalizations, and deaths, ultimately saving many infant lives globally,” O’Brien said.
While RSV typically presents as a common cold with symptoms like runny nose,cough,and fever,it can escalate into severe complications such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis,notably in infants,young children,older adults,and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Two Immunization Products Recommended
The WHO advises countries to introduce either the maternal vaccine, RSVpreF, or nirsevimab, based on factors like healthcare system feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and anticipated coverage. The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) endorsed both products for global use in September 2024. The maternal vaccine also received WHO prequalification in March 2025, enabling UN agencies to procure it.
The maternal vaccine should be administered to pregnant women from week 28 of pregnancy onward to ensure optimal antibody transfer to the infant. It can be integrated into routine antenatal care, including during WHO-recommended antenatal visits in the third trimester.
Nirsevimab, the monoclonal antibody, provides immediate protection against RSV with a single injection, lasting at least 5 months to cover the RSV season. The WHO suggests administering a single dose of nirsevimab to infants at birth or upon discharge from the birthing facility. If not given at birth, it can be administered during the baby’s first health visit. In regions with seasonal RSV patterns, a single dose can be given to older infants just before their first RSV season.
Administering the monoclonal antibody to infants under 6 months yields the greatest impact on severe RSV disease, with potential benefits extending to infants up to 12 months.
The WHO’s updated position paper aims to guide national policymakers and immunization program managers in implementing RSV immunization products within their national programs,and also inform funding agencies.
What’s next
Countries are urged to evaluate and integrate these RSV immunization strategies into their existing healthcare frameworks to protect infants from severe RSV-related complications.