This review summarises the RSV prevention products now approved and the real-world evidence on their effectiveness. Maternal vaccination, long-acting infant monoclonal antibodies and adult vaccines have all shown high protection against severe disease in practice.
The authors note that implementation has been limited mostly to high-income countries because of cost. Even where products are available, uptake depends on routine-care delivery and a trusted clinician's recommendation.
About 39 further candidates are in development, and one promising live-attenuated paediatric vaccine has been discontinued.
- Approved options include a maternal vaccine, infant monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for older and high-risk adults.
- Real-world data show high effectiveness against severe disease.
- Emerging data suggest fewer cardiovascular events after vaccination in older adults.
- Maternal vaccination and infant antibodies performed comparably, but uptake differed.
- Availability and cost in India remain barriers; check current local supply.
Why it matters
Products with high effectiveness are reaching few of the people at risk, and what the clinician says is one of the main levers on uptake.
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