At the workshops, experts presented the latest evidence on the prevalence, clinical progression, and disease burden associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants under one year of age. Research findings show that RSV accounts for more than 60% of acute respiratory infections among newborns and young children worldwide. An estimated 90% of children are infected with RSV within their first two years of life, making it one of the leading causes of hospitalization among infants.

At the event, People's Physician Prof. Tran Minh Dien, MD, PhD, Director of the National Children's Hospital and President of the Vietnam Pediatric Association, noted that RSV can lead to severe lower respiratory tract illnesses, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Of particular concern, many children hospitalized with RSV infection, including those requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation, were previously healthy and born full-term, highlighting the potential severity of the disease even among infants without underlying health conditions.

Experts noted that infants under one year of age are particularly vulnerable to severe RSV infection due to their immature immune systems and narrow airways, which can be easily obstructed by mucus. Evidence also suggests that infants who experience severe RSV infection during their first year of life may face an increased risk of recurrent wheezing, asthma, or impaired lung function later in childhood. Currently, there is no specific treatment available for RSV infection.

Against this backdrop, discussions at the workshops focused on preventive strategies, including maternal vaccination during pregnancy and the use of monoclonal antibodies to protect infants from RSV.

Dr. Phan Huu Phuc, MD, PhD, Deputy Director of the National Children's Hospital and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Pediatric Association, highlighted nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention that was approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health for use in children under one year of age from 2025.

Experts emphasized that vaccines and monoclonal antibodies provide protection through different mechanisms. While vaccines stimulate the body to develop its own immune response, monoclonal antibodies offer immediate protection by supplying ready-made antibodies, eliminating the need to wait for the immune system to generate immunity.

According to experts, strengthening RSV prevention from an early stage can help reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization among infants, while lowering treatment costs, easing the caregiving burden on families, and reducing pressure on the healthcare system during peak respiratory disease seasons.