Background
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that in most instances causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Infants under six months of age are at risk of being hospitalised with severe illness which in rare cases can lead to death. RSV can also worsen existing medical conditions and cause serious complications that can be life-threatening in children and adults with underlying conditions and in older individuals such as those over 65 years of age. In infants, RSV is a leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
As of early November 2025, surveillance data indicate an increase in RSV detections from baseline levels in some EU/EEA countries, particularly among children under five years of age.
The current increase in RSV case numbers is occurring in parallel with gradually rising seasonal influenza circulation and ongoing SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
The simultaneous circulation of respiratory viruses, including RSV, may place additional pressure on primary care providers, emergency services and paediatric hospital capacity [source: ECDC “Rapid scientific advice on protecting infants against respiratory syncytial virus disease for the European 2025/26 winter season”. Nov. 2025].
Safe and effective immunisation options available in Europe
In the last few years, the European Commission has approved immunisation products to prevent RSV in both infants and adults. In 2022, the first RSV long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) product to protect infants during their first RSV season was authorised, and in 2023, an RSV vaccine was authorised for pregnant people to provide newborns with protection against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) through transplacental transfer of RSV-neutralising antibodies. [source: ECDC “Protecting infants against respiratory syncytial virus this winter”, Nov. 2025].
Planned activity for 2026
EU Policy & Advocacy Workshop, providing a common set of updated information & sharing experiences.
- Only by invitation closed meeting to be realized in Brussels
- Direct involvement of Patients’ Advocacy Groups (PAGs) & Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from different Member States connected to Active Citizenship Network (to know more, click here)
- With an educational session (thanks the involvement of indipendent experts) & an advocacy session (sharing concrete experiences at national/EU level)
- To be sostenible, hybrid format: PAGe & CSOs in presence/face-to-face while experts remotely connected
Vaccination during pregnancy, RSV and the importance of primary prevention: our engagement at the national level (Italy) and at the EU level
- “Osservatorio VRS - Accesso equo alla prevenzione”, project carried out in Italy along 2024-2025 providing reccomendations, 3 Instant books & 1 Report, data coming from a survey. (IT)
- RSV: Italian alliance against the virus that threatens children's breathing: the Manifesto “Breathe to grow - Allies for a Childhood free from RSV” was presented in the Italian Senate on March 2024. Read more (IT), read our interview (IT)
- #Rompilatrasmissione (2019) (IT)
- “Vaccinazioni in gravidanza” (2019) (IT) A document to clarify and inform HCPs about the importance of vaccinations recommended during pregnancy, preconception and lactation for the health of women and children.
- Informed maternity: a guide for migrant mothers: In Italy, Cittadinanzattiva has developed projects on improving access to pregnancy and maternity services by immigrant women. Read more (IT – EN) and download the free guide written in Italian, Arabic, Chinese, French, English languages (First Edition on 2012, Second Edition on 2017)
- #VaccinAction 2024 Campaign
- “European active citizens for vaccination – 2019”: 6 different videos translated for Hungary – Spain – Poland – Ireland
- RSV in our EU training session (IT – EN)
- Member of several EU working groups on RSV, maternal & pediatric vaccination.
To know more, please contact us at:
The project is realized thanks to the unconditional support of
