PATH welcomes WHO global recommendation on RSV immunization

October 3, 2024 by PATH

Maternal, newborn, and child health Vaccines

RSV immunization is a long-awaited intervention that could improve infant respiratory health around the world.

PATH applauds the announcement on Tuesday that the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO SAGE) recommends that all countries introduce maternal vaccination and/or long-acting monoclonal antibody (mAb) administration for the prevention of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in young infants.

It is the first WHO global recommendation on RSV immunization and is a historic milestone toward defeating the world’s top cause of severe respiratory illness and hospitalization in infants.

RSV causes more than 30 million severe respiratory infections, 3.5 million hospitalizations, and 100,000 deaths among children less than five years of age worldwide each year. Nearly half of RSV deaths occur before 6 months of age. Almost all RSV deaths are in low- and middle-income countries where many children die never making it to the hospital—underscoring the urgency of preventing severe RSV disease before it starts in these contexts.

“WHO’s recommendation is welcome progress on the road to improving infant respiratory health,” says Dr. Deborah Atherly, Global Head of Policy, Access, and Introduction within PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access. “Preventing RSV disease is critical in early life when infants are at risk of severe infections, which can cause hospitalizations and deaths. A WHO SAGE recommendation is a necessary step in the policy pathway to scale and support use of immunization products, especially in low- and middle-income markets where need is greatest.”

Two products are currently licensed to prevent severe RSV disease in infants in the first, highest-risk 6 months of life. A maternal RSV vaccine, given in pregnancy, directly enhances a pregnant individual’s immunity and increases natural antibody transfer to the baby for protection that lasts months after birth. A long-acting RSV mAb is an antibody given directly to a newborn at or soon after birth. Both products confer passive immunity, whereby the infant is given protective antibodies rather than making them through his or her own immune system—a powerful way to protect in early life.

“Product rollouts are already ongoing in high- and upper-middle-income markets,” adds Dr. Atherly. “The new recommendation is an opportunity to catalyze preparations for putting these products to lifesaving use more broadly, overcoming barriers to access and implementation, enabling informed product choice, and shortening the timeline for product availability in low- and middle-income markets.”

Learn more

  • Read the highlights from the September 23–26, 2024 WHO SAGE meeting report for more information about the WHO SAGE recommendation on RSV.
  • View the communications toolkit developed by WHO, PATH, and partners to learn about and share information on RSV prevention.
  • Learn more about RSV prevention by registering for the webinar series hosted by WHO, PATH, and the ReSViNET Foundation.