As several European countries are currently detecting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, ECDC issues rapid scientific advice for policymakers and public health authorities on ways to mitigate the impact of RSV disease among infants through immunization and to support intensified efforts to protect them from RSV across the region.
In the coming weeks and winter months, especially infants younger than six months of age are at high risk of severe illnesses from respiratory diseases. One of the most common viruses affecting this group is RSV. Severe RSV infection can lead to serious complications requiring hospitalization or admission to intensive care units. These complications include inflammation of the small airways in the lung (bronchiolitis), pneumonia or bloodstream infection (sepsis).
Prevention starts with better awareness
Respiratory syncytial virus can cause a very severe illness in infants, even in those who are healthy, having a significant impact on their families and health care systems,” states ECDC senior expert Bruno Ciancio. “It is imperative that health care workers are aware of RSV epidemiology in their community and follow national guidelines for the prevention of RSV in their patients.
On average, an estimated 250,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized each year across Europe due to RSV infection, with every third child hospitalized during their first months of life.
Available surveillance data for the EU and EEA show that every second person who tested positive for RSV during the winter season 2024/25 was a young child aged 0–4 years. Twelve percent of those children were admitted to intensive care units, and one child died.
Safe and effective immunization options available in Europe
Since 2022, the EU has authorized safe and effective immunization products to prevent RSV disease in infants. These include long-acting monoclonal antibodies given to newborns and infants during their first winter season and maternal vaccines for pregnant people to protect infants during their first months of life.
“Severe cases of RSV in infants can be prevented by vaccinating pregnant individuals or by immunizing infants after birth. Premature babies and those with chronic lung conditions are particularly vulnerable to severe illness and can be prioritized for immunization when universal immunization is not possible,” Ciancio adds.
Twenty-three countries across the EU/EEA already recommend RSV immunization with long-acting monoclonal antibodies and 19 of these have funded programs in place, either for all babies born during the winter season (universal immunization) or for infants at high risk of severe illness. Three EU/EEA countries (Poland, Romania, Slovenia) use maternal vaccination exclusively and five countries (Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Luxembourg) offer it as an alternative for protection alongside long-acting monoclonal antibodies.
To support EU/EEA countries, ECDC will continue to generate and assess evidence on RSV immunization effectiveness and impact, as well as strengthen surveillance and immunization programs in the EU.
Provided by
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
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