RSV Hospitalizations in Infants Drop 25% After Beyfortus Introduction

South Korea has seen a notable decrease in infant hospitalizations due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) following the introduction of the preventive antibody injection, Beyfortus. During the 2025-2026 RSV season, hospital admissions for infants under one year old fell by approximately 25% compared to the previous year, with a more dramatic reduction of about 60% observed during the peak of the season.

These encouraging results have spurred domestic research into the economic benefits of Beyfortus. A study from Kyung Hee University suggests that prevention strategies utilizing Beyfortus can significantly reduce direct medical costs, such as hospitalization and emergency room visits, as well as indirect costs related to caregiver productivity loss. The study highlighted that over 90% of the health benefits were observed in full-term infants under one year old.

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RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infancy, making a preventive approach important.

Internationally, similar positive outcomes have been reported. The Lombardy region in Italy noted a decrease in RSV-related hospital visits and admissions during the 2024-2025 season, where Beyfortus vaccination rates reached 96%. In Japan, economic analyses indicate substantial healthcare cost savings if Beyfortus coverage expands from high-risk groups to all infants.

Currently, Beyfortus is administered through individual medical institutions in South Korea, with discussions ongoing regarding its inclusion in the National Immunization Program (NIP). Experts like Dr. Kim Dong-hyun from Inha University Hospital emphasize the importance of preventive approaches for RSV, a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants. He expressed hope for an environment where all newborns and infants can benefit from RSV prevention, citing consistent cost-effectiveness results from domestic and international studies.

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We hope for an environment where all newborns and infants can receive the benefits of RSV prevention, given the consistent results from domestic and international economic evaluations.