Europe Prioritizes RSV and Maternal Vaccination Efforts

A closed‑door workshop will be held in Brussels on 19 March 2026 to discuss RSV and maternal vaccination policies, aiming to boost prevention across the bloc.

Leaders from dozens of nations converge

Representatives from civil society and patient advocacy groups are slated to attend, bringing perspectives from eight member states. The gathering includes voices from Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain.

Organisers note that the event is part of a broader EU project titled “Protecting the value of prevention across Europe: focus on respiratory syncytial virus & maternal vaccination,” funded without conditions by Pfizer. The initiative seeks to translate scientific findings into actionable frameworks at national level.

Experts share latest evidence

Independent specialists from the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians will brief participants on the burden of respiratory syncytial virus and on vaccination during pregnancy. Their presentation is expected to include recent epidemiological trends and safety data.

Advocacy organisations such as the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants will demonstrate how citizen involvement can shape public health measures. They plan to showcase case studies where community outreach helped increase uptake of recommended immunisations.

For the first time at a European level, the “Italian RSV Observatory: Equal access to prevention” will be unveiled.

Recent guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization has highlighted the need for coordinated action. The ECDC paper titled “Protecting infants against respiratory syncytial virus this winter” and the WHO position on immunisation for infants set the scientific backdrop for the discussions.

In practice, these developments could mean that families see more consistent vaccine offers at prenatal visits, and that newborns receive timely protection against severe lung infections. If health services adopt the suggested tools, the burden on hospitals during peak seasons may ease, giving parents a clearer path to safeguard their children.

Organisers stress that sustained citizen engagement remains essential. They argue that informed communities can pressure governments to maintain funding streams and to ensure equitable access regardless of geography.