[REVISION HISTORY]

Global RSV vaccine and antibody rollout expands

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2026-10-23 04:36 UTC → 2026-10-25 11:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Global RSV immunization and antibody rollouts continue to expand, showing significant clinical impact. In the UK, maternal vaccination led to a 50% reduction in intensive care or high dependency unit admissions for infants under six months during the 2025-26 season. In Spain, research from Hospital Joan XXIII confirmed that the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab reduces bronchiolitis hospitalizations in infants under six months by 80%. Regional efforts in Spain have intensified; Andalusia has invested 15.2 million euros to immunize approximately 55,000 infants, while Castilla-La Mancha has also allocated funds for respiratory disease prevention. In Europe, Sweden has expanded antibody treatments to all newborns, following a successful rollout in the Halland region that saw an 82% drop in hospitalizations. Italy has begun the rollout of clesrovimab, which has received European Commission authorization for use across 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Croatia’s Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) has approved funding for long-acting monoclonal antibodies to protect all children entering their first RSV season. Ireland has launched an immunization program via maternity hospitals and GPs, noting that nirsevimab can prevent up to 80% of RSV-related hospitalizations. In ~~Portugal, 31,000 children were vaccinated within~~ the ~~first month of a campaign launched in September 2026. In the~~ Americas, Panama has launched a $3.5 million initiative to administer nirsevimab to newborns. In Canada, a study across seven pediatric hospitals estimated nirsevimab provides approximately 77% protection against emergency room visits and 97% protection against intensive care unit admission. Canadian provinces show varying coverage; New Brunswick has expanded free immunization to all newborns, while Alberta and British Columbia maintain specific age and risk-based criteria for adults. To improve global access, the WHO has prequalified the multi-dose vial presentation of the maternal RSV vaccine, RSVpreF, to increase affordability in low- and middle-income countries. ~~In North America, Alberta remains the ninth Canadian province to offer free immunization to all newborns born in a hospital during the respiratory virus season.~~

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