Acceptability of respiratory syncytial virus vaccine: a qualitative study

Background

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen identified in infants with pneumonia and bronchiolitis, and it is estimated to be associated with at least 120,000 deaths globally.

A long acting monoclonal antibody against RSV has been licensed for use in infants by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe and is pending licensure by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. A maternal vaccine against RSV is also pending licensure by FDA and EMA and is likely to receive approval before autumn 2023. As this would be the first time monoclonal antibodies would be used for routine immunisation of all infants against a common childhood infection, there is a need to understand the acceptability of this intervention amongst the various stakeholders and compared this with their understanding and acceptability of a maternal RSV vaccine.  

Aim and Impact

This is a qualitative study to understand the acceptability of long acting RSV monoclonal antibody and compare this with the acceptability for maternal RSV vaccine if this were to be introduced in routine immunisation programmes in LMICs. The study would be conducted in open and rural settings in India and Pakistan. The findings will be of interest to the various stakeholders in both countries including NITAGs, and more broadly to BMGF, PATH, WHO and GAVI who are supporting the introduction of these novel interventions into national immunisation programs in LMICs.