New RSV Immunisation Programme Averts Over 1,000 Childhood Cases in Ireland

A new immunisation programme in Ireland has successfully prevented more than 1,000 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among infants during its inaugural year. The RSV Immunisation Pathfinder Programme, which ran from September 2024 to February 2025, achieved a remarkable uptake rate of 83 percent among eligible infants, according to findings published in the journal Vaccine.

The initiative targeted newborns in an effort to combat RSV, a virus that can cause serious respiratory illness in young children. During the first year of the programme, over 22,000 infants were diagnosed, leading to a significant reduction in RSV-related health issues. Specifically, the programme resulted in a 68 percent decrease in laboratory-confirmed RSV cases compared to the previous season.

The impact of the programme was substantial, with an estimated 1,055 RSV notifications, 459 emergency department (ED) presentations, 437 hospitalisations, and 76 admissions to intensive care units averted among infants eligible for immunisation. This success contributed to a nearly 75 percent prevention rate of RSV disease, alleviating pressure on paediatric hospitals throughout the winter months.

In comparison to the 2022/2023 RSV season, when cases were relatively mild, the new programme yielded declines of 64 percent in total RSV cases, 66 percent in ED presentations, and 67 percent in hospitalisations. These encouraging results have led to the expansion of the immunisation programme for the current winter.

The ongoing initiative now includes all newborns, with immunisations also available in clinics for babies under six months old as of September 2024. The programme’s authors highlighted the significant reduction in RSV-related morbidity among infants, underscoring the positive outcomes of the nirsevimab immunisation initiative in Ireland.

The introduction of RSV immunisation followed recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which advised that infants under 12 months should receive passive immunisation during their first exposure season to the virus. Despite its success, a recent assessment by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) noted that a full rollout of RSV immunisation could be financially burdensome.

Dr. Máirín Ryan, deputy CEO of HIQA, stated, “The HSE would have to negotiate considerable price reductions in order for any of the immunisation strategies reviewed to represent an efficient use of HSE resources.”

The findings from this programme provide a compelling case for the benefits of immunisation against RSV, highlighting its potential to protect vulnerable infants and reduce hospitalisation rates in future RSV seasons. The ongoing commitment to addressing RSV in Ireland reflects a proactive approach to child health and public health policy.