Protecting our future: Call for RSV vaccine trial in infants

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant infectious disease that causes severe illness and mortality in adults and children. Despite extensive research, an effective and safe RSV vaccine remains elusive. A recent breakthrough in the field introduced the RSVPreF3 OA vaccine, which proved successful in preventing RSV-related respiratory infections and lower respiratory tract diseases in adults aged 60 years or older. However, this vaccine has not been tested in infants, who bear a substantial burden of RSV infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Current preventive measures, such as Palivizumab, have limited efficacy in reducing mortality and morbidity in children. The approval of an RSV vaccine for adults provides an encouraging opportunity to develop vaccines specifically tailored for infants. This article emphasizes the urgent need for global collaborations and increased research funding to accelerate the development of an RSV vaccine for the pediatric population. Trials for RSV vaccines in infants are essential to protect vulnerable infants from RSV infections and their associated consequences.