What Form of RSV Protection Do Women Prefer: Maternal Vaccination or Infant Immunisation? A Cross-Sectional Survey in...

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory infections in infants/newborns, sometimes requiring hospitalisation. Two immunisation options are approved in Europe: maternal vaccination and infant immunisation. Success of the immunisation programme depends on uptake-however, understanding of women's immunisation preferences remains limited. This study evaluated women's knowledge of RSV, RSV immunisation intentions, and factors influencing immunisation decisions in Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November and December 2024 with 740 women across the selected countries. Participants included women who were pregnant, trying to conceive, or previously pregnant within the year prior to survey. Participants were asked about their knowledge, intentions, and preferences regarding RSV immunisation.

Familiarity with RSV was lower than that for COVID-19 and influenza (45% vs. 86% and 85%). Among those pregnant or trying to conceive, 68% reported they were likely to initiate an RSV immunisation discussion with a healthcare provider and 21% reported they were unlikely to do so. The majority (76%) also reported they were likely to accept RSV vaccination if recommended by a healthcare provider. Overall, 52% preferred maternal vaccination over infant immunisation. Among the 82% of women who would consider RSV immunisation and had a preference for immunisation method, 68% favoured maternal vaccination.

RSV immunisation acceptance among European women is high and a majority prefer maternal vaccination over infant immunisation. This indicates potential for RSV immunisation to achieve high uptake when women have access to immunisation methods aligned with their preferences.