The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified the multi-dose vial presentation of the maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, RSVpreF (ABRYSVO®), marking an important step toward expanding protection against severe RSV illness in infants.

The multi-dose presentation is expected to make maternal RSV vaccination more affordable and easier to deliver, particularly in countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. RSV causes more than 3.6 million hospitalizations and around 100,000 deaths among children under 5 each year, with almost half of these deaths occurring in infants younger than six months.

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The vaccine protects babies during their first six months of life by transferring antibodies from the mother before birth. WHO recommends maternal RSV vaccination during the third trimester, from week 28 onwards, or the use of the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab to help reduce the global burden of severe RSV disease.

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