From Pregnancy to Infancy: Integrating Maternal and Infant Immunization for RSV (Roy K. Philip)

The presentation was delivered and recorded during the 10th Lifecourse Prevention Summit 2025.

In this briefing, Roy K. Philip examines the challenge of integrating maternal and infant immunization programs for RSV. Drawing on real-world evidence from Ireland, he highlights that the introduction of the new immunization program led to a significant reduction in critical care transport of infants during winter and in critical care bed demand — impacts that go well beyond the hospitalization figures typically reported.

Philip addresses the gap between vaccine acceptability and actual uptake, noting significant disparities among vulnerable and ethnic minority populations, and argues that understanding these nuances is essential for effective program design. He also raises a broader equity concern: while RSV morbidity is declining in high-income countries, the vast majority of RSV mortality occurs in low- and middle-income countries, and the gap risks widening further.

His message is that integration of maternal and infant immunization must be considered not only within European healthcare systems, but as a global priority. This session further explores the subject in depth, highlighting key takeaways, implications for policy and practice, and insights from the expert presenter to help inform future strategies.