The evolving landscape of RSV immunization: Current policies and practices across Europe

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Authors: Zazie Franck, Sanne Hofstraat, Lotte Jonker, Leyla Kragten, Chiara Messina, Ricardo M. Fernandes, Patricia Bruijning-Verhagen, Alex Farr, Levi Hoste, Zoi Dorothea Pana, Dita Smíšková, Søren Hagstrøm
+26 more Piia Jõgi, Hanna M. Nohynek, Pierre Frange, Tristan Delory, Natia Pkhaladze, Mario Rüdiger, Emmanuel Roilides, Gayerhosz Katalin, Valtýr Thors, Eugene Dempsey, Sandra Trapani, Dace Zavadska, Diana Ramašauskaitė, Isabel de la Fuente Garcia, Charles Savona-Ventura, Nikolina Zdraveska, Håvard Ove Skjerven, Marek Migdał, Victor Daniel Miron, Maja Stošić, Miha Lucovnik Proh, Federico Martinón-Torres, Verena Sengpiel, A. Naef, Alla Volokha, Paul G. Heath
Cited by: 4
References: 17

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Following approval of the first Maternal RSV vaccine (MV) and long-acting monoclonal RSV antibody (la-mAbs) in Europe, several countries have begun integrating the products into their infant RSV immunization programs. METHODS: Based on a survey supplemented by policy documents, this paper provides a descriptive, policy-focused cross-sectional overview of RSV immunization strategies across 32 European countries. RESULTS: As of September 2025, 22 countries offered programmatic RSV prophylaxis for infants. Of these, 5 use only MV, 10 use only la-mAbs and 7 countries offer both. Considerable variation was observed in programmatic approaches with respect to (gestational) age of administration, delivery pathways, eligibility criteria for mothers and infants, and reimbursement mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: The RSV immunization policy landscape in Europe is diverse and dynamic, presenting both challenges and opportunities for shared learning and policy development.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Respiratory viral infections research Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology Viral Infections and Immunology Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Vaccine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
76
Pages
128222–128222
Publication date
14 February 2026
Language
EN