RSV Prevention — Breakthroughs and Challenges

This editorial outlines major advances and ongoing obstacles in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, especially among infants. The piece highlights the global disease burden of RSV 33 million cases and over 100,000 deaths annually, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. It centers on recent approval of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, which demonstrated 83.2% efficacy against RSV-related hospitalizations in the HARMONIE trial conducted across France, Germany, and the UK. Nirsevimab also showed strong protection across subgroups and no significant safety concerns. The article emphasizes the need for equitable access to RSV prevention, calling attention to the “five A’s” of health care access, and argues that scaling up nirsevimab globally is imperative for reducing RSV’s impact.

This editorial outlines major advances and ongoing obstacles in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, especially among infants. The piece highlights the global disease burden of RSV 33 million cases and over 100,000 deaths annually, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. It centers on recent approval of nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, which demonstrated 83.2% efficacy against RSV-related hospitalizations in the HARMONIE trial conducted across France, Germany, and the UK. Nirsevimab also showed strong protection across subgroups and no significant safety concerns. The article emphasizes the need for equitable access to RSV prevention, calling attention to the “five A’s” of health care access, and argues that scaling up nirsevimab globally is imperative for reducing RSV’s impact.