The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently published information reinforcing that RSV is far from a “childhood-only” disease. In Europe, around 1 in 20 older adults are infected each year, leading to an estimated 160,000 hospitalisations annually, with the vast majority occurring in those aged 65+.
But the RSV burden goes beyond hospitalisations. RSV is associated with serious complications such as pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions (e.g. COPD, heart failure), and increased mortality risk in vulnerable populations. At the same time, it remains a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants, especially in the first months of life.
Key takeaways:
• Age-specific risk differs, but impact is lifelong: infants and older adults are most vulnerable, yet RSV affects all age groups
• Seasonality matters: RSV outbreaks typically occur in autumn and winter, often overlapping with influenza and COVID-19, adding pressure to healthcare systems
• Underdiagnosis remains a challenge: RSV is frequently under-recognised in adults, as symptoms can resemble other respiratory infections
• Prevention tools are evolving rapidly: vaccines for older adults and maternal immunisation strategies are now available, alongside long-acting monoclonal antibodies for infants
• Health system preparedness is key: improved surveillance, awareness, and uptake of preventive measures can significantly reduce disease burden
Encouragingly, recent advances in immunisation mark a turning point. Maternal vaccination can help protect newborns during their most vulnerable first months, while adult vaccination programmes aim to reduce severe outcomes and hospital strain.
RSV is a cross-generational and under-recognised health challenge—and coordinated, life-course immunisation strategies will be essential to reduce its impact across Europe.
If you are developing RSV vaccines or preventive solutions, now is the time to act. Navigating regulatory pathways and accelerating time to market are critical.
We support companies across the full vaccine lifecycle; from early development and clinical strategy to EMA submission, registration, and post-authorisation activities. Get in touch to discuss how we can help bring your RSV innovations to patients faster via [email protected] or visit our website at www.Starodub.nl.
