Health Insurer Recommends RSV Prevention for Infants - RSV cases decline in infants, but health officials urge prevention ahead of season

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues to pose risks for vulnerable groups, though infection rates among infants have dropped. Health insurer IKK Südwest reports around 700 cases in its network for 2024, with some babies needing hospital care. Experts are now urging preventive measures ahead of the upcoming season.

RSV spreads through droplets and can lead to severe illness, particularly in infants and older adults. While weekly cases earlier this year ranged between 1,670 and 2,675—mostly in children under four—hospitalisations for babies have fallen by over 50% compared to last season. Nationwide, around 25,000 infants typically require treatment for severe infections each year.

To combat the virus, IKK Südwest recommends nirsevimab, a protective antibody, for all infants during their first RSV season (October to March). The insurer, which covers about 600,000 people across Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Saarland, also advises vaccination for those aged 75 and older. Though exact national figures for 2024 remain unclear, spikes in infections were noted in Berlin and Bavaria, primarily affecting young children.

Despite the decline, RSV remains a concern. The drop in hospitalisations offers some relief, but health officials stress the importance of prevention as the season approaches.

The latest data shows fewer infants hospitalised with RSV this year. However, with thousands still affected annually, health authorities are pushing for wider use of nirsevimab and vaccines. These steps aim to reduce severe cases in the most at-risk groups before the virus peaks again.