Global Research Trends in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute respiratory infections and has long posed challenges to vaccine development due to historical safety concerns and the complexity of protective immunity. Recent advances in structural biology, maternal immunization, vaccines for older adults, and monoclonal antibodies have reshaped the field. This study aimed to analyze global research trends in RSV vaccine research using a bibliometric approach. Methods: A bibliometric study was conducted using records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus on 1 September 2026. After database merging, deduplication, and data refinement, bibliometric indicators, citation patterns, collaboration networks, source distribution, and intellectual structure were analyzed using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny in R. Results: The final corpus comprised 2516 documents published between 1968 and 2026 across 646 sources, with an annual growth rate of 10.7%. A total of 9298 authors were identified, with an average of 7.08 coauthors per document, and 24.56% of publications involved international collaboration. Scientific production increased markedly from the 2010s onward. The United States remained the leading contributor, while the most recent period showed broader participation from other countries. Vaccine was the most productive source. Citation analyses highlighted historical publications on the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine and subsequent advances related to the prefusion F protein as important components of the field's intellectual structure. Conclusions: RSV vaccine research has evolved from a historically safety-constrained field into a mature translational area focused on prevention, implementation, real-world effectiveness, and equitable access.