Aotearoa New Zealand is falling behind comparable countries in protecting infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), despite strong international evidence that new immunisation programmes reduce hospitalisations by up to 90%, ease winter pressure on health services and improve health equity.
Each year, around 1,800-2,000 children under five are hospitalised with RSV in NZ, with around half of these admissions occurring in infants, particularly those under six months of age. Māori and Pacific infants are disproportionately affected, along with children living in socioeconomically deprived and crowded households.
In a new Public Health Communication Centre Briefing, lead author and Paediatric Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Hazel Dobinson says effective RSV immunisation has transformed prevention overseas, but NZ has yet to introduce a universal infant RSV prevention programme.
“We now have highly effective immunisation options that can prevent many severe RSV infections in infancy. International experience shows these programmes reduce hospital admissions and can make a real difference for babies, whānau and health services.”
The Briefing outlines two prevention strategies now being adopted internationally: long-acting monoclonal antibodies given to newborns and maternal vaccination during pregnancy. Real-world studies show long-acting monoclonal antibodies reduce RSV-related hospitalisations by 70-90%, while maternal vaccination is around 70% effective at preventing severe RSV infection in infants up to six months of age.
“Every winter, RSV places predictable pressure on emergency departments, paediatric wards and intensive care units. Preventing severe disease means fewer babies needing hospital care, less disruption for families and greater capacity across the health system.”
The authors note that Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Chile and much of Europe have already introduced infant RSV immunisation, maternal vaccination, or both, as part of their national immunisation programmes.
“The RSV immunisation is a high-impact and economically efficient intervention that justifies rapid approval and implementation through the National Immunisation Programme. We recommend reviewing NZ’s vaccine assessment process to avoid unnecessary delays in approving and delivering effective vaccines with significant population health benefits,” says Dr Dobinson.