Maternal RSV vaccine reduces infant RSV-associated hospitalizations by 80% through six months of life

New research from The Kids Research Institute Australia reveals that the RSV Maternal and Infant Protection Program significantly reduces the risk of RSV-related hospitalizations in infants during their first six months of life. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed 1,012 infants hospitalized with acute respiratory illness across nine Australian hospitals.

The results indicate that maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy provided high and sustained protection against hospitalization and severe RSV-related respiratory disease in infants, with protection peaking during the earliest months when babies are most vulnerable to serious infection. Vaccine effectiveness was particularly strong at 86.3% against hospitalizations for RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in infants through 2 months of age.

Importantly, the protection remained consistent regardless of when the vaccine was administered during the recommended pregnancy window or if it was given alongside other routine maternal vaccines, suggesting that the vaccine can be effectively integrated into standard prenatal care. Dr. Ushma Wadia, a clinician-scientist and pediatrician, noted that the findings represent strong real-world evidence that Australia's Maternal and Infant RSV Protection Program is successfully protecting young babies from serious RSV illness, reinforcing the program's status as a leader in RSV prevention in Australia.