RSV immunisation programs are helping to keep babies and young kids out of hospital

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-12-23 03:10

International

Photo by Gabriel Dizzi on Unsplash. Story by Lyndal Byford, Australian Science Media Centre

A series of three research papers has shown that immunisation programs targeting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are helping keep babies and young children out of hospital. The first study, which was an analysis of previous research, found that immunising babies with the antibody called nirsevimab, was 62% effective at preventing hospitalisations for lower respiratory tract infections. The second paper, which looked at population levels of respiratory infections, found that both vaccinating expectant mothers with an RSV vaccine and giving babies nirsevimab protected infants in their first RSV season, with hospitalisations down an estimated 41% to 51%. The third paper compared the effectiveness of vaccinating mothers and giving babies nirsevimab, and found that the nirsevimab was linked to a lower risk of RSV-related hospitalisation.

News release

From: JAMA

Nirsevimab Against Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Infants

JAMA Pediatrics
Original Investigation

About The Study: In this meta-analysis, nirsevimab was associated with reduced lower respiratory tract infection-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits in infants and young children. These findings support nirsevimab’s potential to reduce respiratory-related morbidity in young children and health care utilization.

(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.5280)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Effectiveness and Impact of Maternal RSV Immunization and Nirsevimab on Medically Attended RSV in US Children

About The Study: According to the results of this population-based surveillance study, during 2024-2025, both maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and nirsevimab were estimated to be effective at protecting infants from RSV-associated hospitalizations in their first RSV season, and RSV-associated hospitalization rates in newborns and infants ages 0 to 11 months were reduced by up to half compared to seasons before these products were introduced.

(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.5778)

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Nirsevimab vs RSVpreF Vaccine for RSV–Related Hospitalization in Newborns
JAMA
Original Investigation

About The Study: Compared with maternal vaccination with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein (RSVpreF) vaccine, passive infant immunization with nirsevimab was associated with lower risks of RSV-related hospitalization and severe outcomes. These findings reflect the first RSV season with use of these immunization strategies in mainland France; their use should be reevaluated in future studies.

(doi:10.1001/jama.2025.24082)

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Attachments

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Research JAMA, Web page Paper 1 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Research JAMA, Web page Paper 2 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Research , Web page Paper 3 - Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Journal/
conference: JAMA/JAMA Pediatrics

Research: Link to Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3

Organisation/s: York University, Canada, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety

Funder: Paper 1 - This work was supported in part by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Canada Discovery and Alliance grants. Paper 2 - Each participating institution received grant support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the conduct of this work. Paper 3 - This study was funded by the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety and the French National Health Insurance.

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