RSV Hospitalizations: Most Affected Infants Lack Risk Factors, Highlighting Need for Broader Prevention

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections lead to thousands of hospitalizations each year, with infants being the most affected group. In the 2025/2026 season, 8,568 infants were hospitalized due to RSV, and crucially, over 90% of these children had no identified risk factors for severe illness.

This data challenges the traditional focus of RSV prevention, which historically concentrated on premature infants and those with serious underlying health conditions. The findings reveal that a significant majority of severe cases occur in full-term infants without prior health issues, placing a substantial burden on the healthcare system.

RSV's unpredictable nature is a major challenge. While most infants experience mild, cold-like symptoms, a portion can rapidly develop severe respiratory distress requiring hospitalization and intensive care. Currently, there is no cure for RSV, and treatment focuses on symptom relief and respiratory support.

Preventive strategies are evolving. Previously designed for high-risk infants, current methods now allow for broader infant immunization. Countries like Spain, France, and Germany have seen RSV-related hospitalizations drop by 70-90% after implementing widespread immunization programs using a long-acting monoclonal antibody administered seasonally.

In Poland, a program protecting high-risk children has been in place since 2008. Passive immunization against RSV is also recommended in the national vaccination schedule for newborns and infants.