Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) News and Research

Latest Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) News and Research

Study highlights economic burden of RSV in European children requiring primary care

Infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children requiring primary care led to significant societal economic costs from outpatient treatment and parental work absences in Europe, according to a study just published on Eurosurveillance.

22 May 2025

Maternal RSV vaccine and nirsevimab sharply cut infant hospitalizations, new data show

Widespread use of maternal RSV vaccination and nirsevimab during the 2024–2025 U.S. RSV season led to a significant reduction in RSV-associated hospitalizations among infants aged 0–7 months. The largest benefits were seen in the youngest and most vulnerable infants, particularly during peak winter months.

20 May 2025

Nirsevimab slashes RSV hospitalizations in infants by 78% in real-world study

A Spanish study found that nirsevimab prophylaxis significantly reduced infant hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and severe symptoms linked to RSV and other respiratory viruses. Hospitalizations for RSV dropped by 78% following nirsevimab rollout in Madrid maternity wards.

8 May 2025

HHS and NIH announce the development of next-generation, universal vaccine platform

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of influenza A/H1N1 virus particles. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes for Health (NIH) today announced the development of the next-generation, universal vaccine platform, Generation Gold Standard, using a beta-propiolactone (BPL)-inactivated, whole-virus platform.

1 May 2025

Children with chronic conditions face higher RSV hospitalization risk

Young children with chronic conditions are more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) than healthy children, according to a new study.

25 Apr 2025

One RSV shot cuts severe lung infections in older adults for three seasons, trial shows

A phase 3 trial involving nearly 25,000 older adults across 17 countries found that a single dose of the RSVPreF3 OA vaccine reduced RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease by 63% over three seasons. Protection remained substantial despite waning, with similar efficacy to a two-dose regimen and a favorable safety profile.

23 Apr 2025

RSV-associated infections linked to higher one year mortality in adults

A major study presented today at ESCMID Global 2025 has revealed that adults with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) face a 2.7-fold higher risk of death within one year compared to the general population.

11 Apr 2025

RSV hospitalization rates rise with age and chronic conditions in older adults

Among older adults in Spain, hospitalization rates from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection increases progressively with age and is more likely among people with other health issues and who live in nursing homes, according to a study published in Eurosurveillance.

13 Mar 2025

Why over 5 billion people still lack access to life-saving medical oxygen

The Lancet Global Health Commission highlights severe inequities in medical oxygen access, urging systemic reforms to ensure universal availability and affordability.

23 Feb 2025

Study explores the impact of respiratory bacteria on RSV severity

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under two years old, resulting in significant morbidity and a heavy economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

6 Feb 2025

New nasal vaccine for COVID-19 set to begin clinical trial in the U.S.

A nasal vaccine for COVID-19 – based on technology developed at Washington University in St. Louis – is poised to enter a phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S. after an investigational new drug application from Ocugen, Inc. was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ocugen, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, licensed the innovative technology from WashU in 2022.

5 Feb 2025

The link between air pollution and lower respiratory infections in adults

Research reveals that even low levels of air pollution significantly increase the risk of respiratory infections in adults, highlighting urgent health concerns.

5 Feb 2025

New tool launched to track infectious disease spread through wastewater

The European Commission has just launched a new tool that supports the tracking of the spread of infectious diseases by analyzing wastewater: the European Wastewater Surveillance Dashboard. It displays data from across the EU by bringing together existing national and research-based dashboards.

29 Jan 2025

Early infections in childhood drive long-term health risks

Early childhood infections significantly increase the risk of severe infections and antibiotic use later in childhood, highlighting the importance of early prevention and monitoring.

8 Jan 2025

Study highlights the importance of diagnostic tests in pandemic response

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial testing is for disease preparedness and response, and new research from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and a team of collaborators underscores that principle.

3 Jan 2025

Immunocompromised adults show weaker response to RSV vaccines

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that people 60 years or older with weakened immunity - primarily organ transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection and others with immune system disorders - do not respond as strongly to vaccines against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as people in the same age group with normal immune function.

30 Dec 2024

New insights into respiratory syncytial virus and prevention strategies

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory infections, particularly in infants, children under 5 years, and older adults. Its rapid spread makes RSV a serious public health concern. Currently, there are no effective medications for RSV, and current treatment focuses on providing supportive care and preventing its spread.

20 Dec 2024

Polypurine hairpins found to effectively halt SARS-CoV-2 replication

A study led by the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council's Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC - CSIC) presents a new therapeutic tool capable of inhibiting the proliferation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

3 Dec 2024

Reinstating masking curbs hospital viral outbreaks, study confirms

Researchers investigate how changes in hospital policies for SARS-CoV-2 testing and masking have influenced hospital-acquired respiratory viral infections.

1 Dec 2024

New approach to stabilize RSV protein could lead to better vaccines

In most people, the lung-infecting pathogens known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) trigger mild cold-like symptoms. But in infants and seniors, these viruses can cause severe pneumonia and even death.

20 Nov 2024