Global RSV prevention and immunization efforts

Public health authorities are implementing expanded strategies to combat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for the 2026–2027 season.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has broadened its respiratory disease awareness campaign to include RSV alongside influenza. The initiative targets high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and older adults, to prevent complications like pneumonia. In Dubai, clinical guidelines now require healthcare providers to verify vaccination status during clinical visits, with specific priority given to individuals with chronic diseases, children, and those participating in mass gatherings like Hajj and Umrah.

Complementary prevention strategies focus on protecting infants from bronchiolitis. These include maternal vaccination during pregnancy—typically between the 32nd and 36th week—to pass antibodies to the child, or the direct administration of monoclonal antibodies to infants, such as Nirsevimab, Clesrovimab, or Palivisumab. Health professionals are encouraged to combine these medical interventions with standard hygiene practices, including hand washing and mask-wearing, to limit transmission.

In the Dominican Republic, medical societies have proposed a similar dual-track protection strategy for newborns and infants. A consensus document developed by the Latin American Society of Vaccinology and the Dominican Society of Vaccinology recommends combining maternal vaccination with the administration of long-acting monoclonal antibodies. While the proposal emphasizes equity and the prioritization of high-risk groups like premature infants, these recommendations have not yet been officially incorporated into the national immunization schedule by the Ministry of Public Health.