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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

13 clusters · 42 sources · 70 days · First seen 2 months ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Categories: HEALTH

RSV vaccine rollout expands in Americas

Entities: Yelkys Gil · Valentina Pino · Ministry of Health (Chile) · Chile · Ministry of Health (Panama)

Overview

Since mid‑2023, countries across the Americas have broadened RSV immunisation for seniors, pregnant women and high‑risk infants, and introduced the long‑acting monoclonal antibody nirsevimab. Real‑world U.S. data show a 75 % drop in RSV admissions among seniors receiving the Arexvy vaccine. Brazil’s public system now vaccinates pregnant women and recommends the vaccine for all over‑70s, while a national campaign reports over 21 000 severe paediatric cases and 246 deaths in early 2026. In July 2026, Brazil and Argentina began municipal programmes delivering single‑dose nirsevimab to pre‑term and other high‑risk infants. Chile’s winter health campaign recorded a 45.4 % weekly test positivity, with RSV accounting for 22.9 % of detections and 97.4 % immunisation coverage (120,198 doses), while pediatric and adult ICU occupancy approached critical levels. New developments include Ecuador’s first rollout of the RSV vaccine for pregnant women, beginning in the Cotopaxi region, and Brazil’s continuation of routine prenatal RSV vaccination from the 28th week of gestation alongside other maternal vaccines.

In late July 2026 a regional surge in RSV activity was reported. Panama recorded 13 child deaths, eight under two years old, prompting renewed calls for vaccination of pregnant women and the elderly. Chile saw RSV become the leading respiratory virus in week 29, with detections rising to 22.9 % and continued high monoclonal‑antibody coverage (97.4 %). Paraguay and Argentina warned of low influenza‑vaccine uptake among high‑risk groups, while Spain’s Valencian Community announced a €32.1 million purchase of 70 000 RSV antibody doses for the 2026‑2027 season. Health authorities across Latin America continue to stress preventive measures as the season progresses.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 4 SOURCES] RSV accounted for 22.9% of detected respiratory viruses in Chile during epidemiological week 29 (19‑25 July 2026). (Chile Ministry of Health weekly report)
[● 3 SOURCES] Ecuador incorporated the RSV vaccine for pregnant women for the first time. (Ecuador health authorities)
[● 2 SOURCES] Maternal immunisation transfers antibodies to the fetus, providing protection in the first weeks of life. (Brazilian health officials)
[● 2 SOURCES] 13 children died in Panama in 2026 from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). (Panama Ministry of Health reports)
[● 2 SOURCES] National influenza vaccination coverage in Chile in 2026 was 78.1%. (Chile Ministry of Health data)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women from the 28th week of gestation in Brazil. (Brazilian prenatal care program)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm) launched the campaign 'Todos contra o VSR – Proteção desde o Início' to raise awareness of RSV immunisation. (SBIm campaign announcement)
[○ 1 SOURCE] VSR causes 80% of bronchiolitis cases and up to 60% of pneumonia in children under two years old. (SBIm data)
[○ 1 SOURCE] In 2023 Brazil recorded 21,398 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG) cases caused by VSR, with 246 deaths. (Ministry of Health statistics)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The RSV vaccine is part of Brazil's prenatal care program alongside influenza, dTpa, hepatitis B and Covid‑19 vaccines. (Brazilian health program)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Eight of the Panama RSV deaths were children under two years old. (Panama Ministry of Health data)

Timeline

1 day ago

[HEALTH] 10 sources
RSV activity surges across Latin America, sparking child deaths in Panama and rising cases in Chile
RSV caused 13 child deaths in Panama and became Chile's top virus in July 2026, prompting regional vaccination drives and preventive measures.
4 days ago

[HEALTH] 5 sources
RSV vaccine for pregnant women launched in Ecuador, also in Brazil
Brazil maintains RSV vaccination for pregnant women, while Ecuador launches the vaccine for the first time, aiming to protect newborns from severe respiratory disease.
19 days ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Portugal study: RSV kills nearly 20% of hospitalized adults
A Portuguese study of 24,000 adult respiratory admissions (2018‑2024) found RSV caused 2,257 cases, with 48.7% developing respiratory failure and a 17.8% in‑hospital death rate, mainly among patients over 60.
20 days ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Brazil and Argentina roll out Nirsevimab to protect premature infants from RSV
Brazil’s Várzea Grande and Argentina’s Córdoba municipalities have started free Nirsevimab programs to shield high‑risk infants from severe RSV infections.
29 days ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
RSV vaccine cuts elderly hospitalizations by 75% in US study
US study shows RSV vaccine (Arexvy) reduces elderly hospitalizations by 75.6%, severe cases by 79.1% and deaths by 66.8%; Brazil recommends vaccination for seniors amid rising RSV cases.
about 1 month ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Dominican Republic launches new monoclonal antibody for RSV and long‑acting HIV injection
Dominican Republic adds Nirsevimab for RSV protection of high‑risk infants and prepares to roll out bi‑annual Lenacapavir injections for HIV prevention, both offered free in public health facilities.
about 1 month ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Argentina and Dominican Republic introduce Nirsevimab monoclonal antibody for RSV protection in infants
Argentina’s San Juan province and the Dominican Republic health ministries have each adopted the monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab, offering season‑long RSV protection to high‑risk infants with a single dose.
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
RSV universal prophylaxis with monoclonal antibody reduces hospitalizations in Italy
RSV monoclonal‑antibody prophylaxis, now used universally in Italy, offers immediate protection for infants, cutting severe bronchiolitis cases and easing pediatric ICU strain.
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 6 sources
Australia ramps up RSV vaccination for seniors and expectant mothers
An Australian asthma patient’s severe RSV case underscores the risk, while the AMA promotes funded RSV vaccines for seniors, Indigenous adults, and pregnant women, citing 587 deaths and a 9% drop in child cases
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
RSV Prevention Advances: South Korea approves MSD's Encloncia; Australia expands vaccine program
South Korea approves MSD's Encloncia monoclonal antibody for infant RSV prevention; Australia expands RSV vaccine access for seniors, Indigenous adults, and pregnant women during Awareness Week.
2 months ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Australia expands RSV vaccine access for older adults
Australian pharmacists can give a single‑dose RSV vaccine to adults 60+ without a GP script, protecting older adults for at least two seasons and cutting severe illness risk.
2 months ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
RSV Vaccine Reduces Hospital Stays for Seniors in Danish Study
A Danish study of 131,000 seniors shows the RSVpreF vaccine lowered cardiorespiratory hospitalizations by 9.9%, highlighting broader benefits of RSV prevention for older adults.
2 months ago

[HEALTH] 3 sources
Italy's RSV vaccine could cut unnecessary antibiotics, says expert Marco Falcone
Italy's RSV cases lead to 50‑75% unnecessary antibiotic use; expert Marco Falcone urges wider RSV, flu and pneumococcal vaccination to curb resistance.

Sources

ama.com.au · asthma.org.au · atentos.cl · atualidadepolitica.com.br · bioquicknews.com · cordoba.gob.ar · cremonaoggi.it · destinopanama.com.pa · dgvs.mspbs.gov.py · diariodesalud.com.do · diariodistrito.sapo.pt · dnoticias.pt · economis.com.ar · elcomercio.com · eldia.com.do · elnuevodiario.com.do · enc-online.org · g5noticias.cl · hjemmelavet.dk · hora1rondonia.com.br · incp.org.co · internet4things.it · knowridge.com · labandadiario.com.ar · latercera.com · maulehoy.cl · memesita.com · odiariodebarretos.com.br · oglioponews.it · omatogrosso.com · overlandjournal.com · politeka.net · reporterbrasilia.com.br · sardegnalive.net · tctelevision.com · theindiansun.com.au · vocesparalelas.com.ar · who.com.au · womansday.com.au · wondercare.ie · world-today-journal.com · zerounotv.it

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history