Respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis: Novel opportunities and a call for equity

Abstract

With the approval of the first vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a novel RSV‐neutralizing antibody, 2023 has been perceived as a game‐changing year in preventing severe outcomes of RSV infections in infants and the elderly. However, the costs of these pharmaceuticals are high, while RSV disproportionately impacts populations of low‐to‐middle‐income regions, which may continue to suffer from a lack of pharmaceutical measures for RSV prevention under health and socioeconomic disparities. This paper presents an overview of the characteristics, clinical results, and approval status of various RSV vaccines and anti‐RSV antibodies. It posits that wealthy nations cannot monopolize RSV immunoprophylaxis and should work jointly to make it available to lower‐income countries. An approach toward RSV immunoprophylaxis equity based on five points is offered: (1) integration of RSV vaccines and antibodies into the existing global humanitarian distribution systems, (2) using affordable RSV vaccine pricing models, (3) enforcing equity as a part of national and global public health strategy, (4) implementing equitable allocation frameworks for RSV immunoprophylaxis, and (5) promoting local manufacturing. Such a plan needs to be put into action as soon as possible to avoid delays in serving the populations with the highest needs related to RSV burden.