Taiwanese parental perspectives on RSV: knowledge, risks, and acceptance toward immunization

Taiwanese parents' understanding of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains limited even as new prevention tools, such as long-acting monoclonal antibodies for infants, become available. We surveyed 300 expectant mothers and parents of infants (0-12 months) in Taiwan in late 2023 to assess knowledge of RSV vs. other common pediatric infections, perceptions of disease risk and severity, and assess their willingness to immunize infants with RSV monoclonal antibody (mAb) by asking how likely they were to have their infant receive an immunization. Just 38 % of respondents reported even basic knowledge of RSV, compared with over 90 % familiar with influenza or enterovirus; first-time pregnant women were among the least aware. Risk and severity of RSV were viewed as moderate but not high, and lower than that of illnesses like pneumonia. After a description of the infant RSV immunization information, the mean willingness score was 6/10 and about 30 % of participants were very willing (score ≥ 8). Prior experience with self-paid (non-mandatory) vaccines strongly predicted RSV knowledge; full-time employment was associated with lower knowledge, but higher willingness once respondents were informed. These findings suggest that while openness to infant RSV immunization exists, awareness gaps may undermine uptake. Efforts to educate parents, especially those expecting their first child, and to clarify what "infant RSV immunization" entails could facilitate acceptance.