“Experts Call for Urgent RSV Awareness and Immunization Drive in India”
Bengaluru, July 8, 2025 — Health experts across the country are sounding the alarm over Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious yet often overlooked virus that poses a serious threat to infants and young children in India.
Though commonly mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, RSV is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections globally, responsible for an estimated 3.6 million hospitalizations and 100,000 deaths annually among children under the age of five. India, which has the world’s largest annual birth cohort of around 25 million newborns, contributes substantially to this global burden.
The risk becomes especially acute during the monsoon and early winter months, when hospitals across the country report a surge in pediatric admissions. Doctors warn that even healthy, full-term infants from all socio-economic backgrounds are frequently hospitalized with RSV-related complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, often requiring oxygen or ventilator support.
A Preventable Threat
“RSV continues to be a major threat to infant health in India,” said Dr. Vasant M. Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). “While hygiene practices like handwashing are helpful, they are insufficient—particularly for babies under one year of age.”
He emphasized the importance of recent World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations promoting long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for RSV prevention. In India, two such options are now available.
“Palivizumab, which offers protection through monthly doses during RSV season, has long served high-risk infants,” Dr. Khalatkar noted. “Nirsevimab, a newer, single-dose, long-acting antibody, now provides season-long protection with just one administration—either shortly after birth or during routine immunization visits. This is a significant step forward in RSV prevention.”
Bridging the Gap in Prevention
Dr. Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical, International Region at Sanofi, said, “Our focus is on closing key gaps in preventive care through scientific innovation aligned with WHO guidance. In India, strengthening public awareness, improving access to immunization, and timely interventions are critical in reducing RSV’s impact and protecting the next generation.”
Echoing the urgency, Dr. Bhavesh Kotak, Head of Medical Affairs at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, remarked, “Unlike high-income nations where advanced prevention measures are readily available, India faces considerable challenges in early detection and protection. Raising awareness about RSV’s severity and ensuring access to effective immunization solutions like Nirsevimab is essential for building a more equitable healthcare response.”
New Initiative to Expand Access
In April 2025, Sanofi and Dr. Reddy’s announced the expansion of their partnership to introduce Nirsevimab in India—a novel, single-dose preventive treatment designed to protect infants from severe RSV-related illnesses.
Health authorities are urging parents and caregivers to consult pediatricians and neonatologists about RSV and the immunization options now available. With proactive awareness, timely intervention, and widespread immunization, experts believe India can significantly reduce the burden of RSV among its youngest citizens.
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