Medical professionals across India are drawing attention to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious virus that continues to be an under-recognised cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under five. Despite often being confused with a seasonal cold, RSV is linked to approximately 3.6 million hospitalisations and nearly 100,000 deaths annually in children below five years worldwide.
India, with around 25 million newborns each year, is a major contributor to this global burden. Hospital admissions linked to RSV tend to spike during the monsoon and early winter months. Even full-term, healthy infants from all socio-economic backgrounds are frequently hospitalised, with many requiring oxygen support or ventilators due to RSV complications.
Dr Vasant M. Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), stated, “RSV remains a significant threat to infant health, and while hygiene measures like handwashing are essential, they’re often not enough—especially for babies under one year. With the recent World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and India enabling access to these solutions, we now have vital tools to protect our youngest. Palivizumab has been available for high-risk infants, offering protection through monthly dosing during the RSV season. Now, with the arrival of Nirsevimab—a single-dose, long-acting antibody that provides season-long protection—we’re seeing a major advancement. Administered shortly after birth or during routine follow-ups, these preventive options can greatly reduce RSV-related hospitalisations and shield infants from serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Prevention, timely awareness, and parental engagement are critical to reducing RSV’s impact across India.”
Dr Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical International Region at Sanofi, added, “We have long been working to close critical gaps in prevention by advancing science-driven solutions that align with evolving global recommendations, including those from the WHO. Addressing RSV burden in India with advanced preventive care is the need of the hour. Strengthening awareness, improving access to protective interventions, and enabling timely immunisation are essential steps in reducing the impact of RSV and safeguarding the health of future generations.”
According to Dr Bhavesh Kotak, Head of Medical Affairs at Dr Reddy’s, “India bears a significant share of the global RSV burden. Unlike high-income countries with advanced prevention care and early access to preventive solution, India still faces challenges in timely diagnosis and protection. Increased awareness around the severity of RSV and enabled access to ground-breaking immunisation solutions will be critical in building a more equitable and effective national response to RSV.”
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