Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines against Tropical and other Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 6485

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
Interests: vaccines; therapeutics; antibodies; virus; animal models
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a significant cause of respiratory infections, particularly in infants and the elderly. Despite decades of research, vaccine development has faced significant challenges. Recent advances in vaccine technology, including viral vectors, subunit vaccines with prefusion protein designs, and mRNA-based platforms, offer promising avenues for effective and safe RSV vaccination. This Special Issue aims to highlight current understanding and explore innovative strategies to develop RSV vaccines that ensure high protection rates and long-lasting efficacy across all age groups.

Dr. Surender Khurana
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • RSV vaccine development
  • viral vector vaccines
  • subunit vaccines
  • prefusion protein design
  • mRNA vaccines
  • vaccine efficacy
  • immunization strategies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 5016 KiB  
Article
Immunogenicity Evaluation of Combination Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Varicella–Zoster Virus mRNA Vaccines in C57BL/6J Mice
by Ning Luan, Luxia Huang, Jingping Hu, Haihao Zhang, Dandan Gao, Zhentao Lei, Xiaolong Zhang, Han Cao and Cunbao Liu
Vaccines 2025, 13(4), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13040361 - 28 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and varicella–zoster virus (VZV) pose significant risks to the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems. In this study, we investigated whether combining RSV and VZV vaccines could reduce the number of vaccination injections, thereby minimizing discomfort for [...] Read more.
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and varicella–zoster virus (VZV) pose significant risks to the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems. In this study, we investigated whether combining RSV and VZV vaccines could reduce the number of vaccination injections, thereby minimizing discomfort for elderly individuals and reducing manufacturing costs. Methods: In this study, we developed two types of combined RSV and VZV mRNA vaccines. Using RSV and VZV mRNA vaccines administered alone as controls, we evaluated the immune response elicited by the combined mRNA vaccines in C57BL/6J mice. Results: The results demonstrated that RSV mRNA, VZV mRNA, and a mixture of both could be effectively encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with uniform particle sizes. Compared to the administration of either the RSV or VZV mRNA vaccine alone, the delivery of two kinds of mRNA LNP combination formulation—whether directly mixed or encapsulated two mRNAs in the same LNP formulation—elicited comparable IgG titers, neutralization titers, cell-mediated immunity (CMI), and CD4+ T-cell responses. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study establishes the feasibility of combining RSV and VZV mRNA-LNP vaccines, laying a solid foundation for clinical trials of combined RSV and VZV vaccines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine)
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Review

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24 pages, 592 KiB  
Review
Addressing the Underestimated Burden of RSV in Older Adults in Europe: Epidemiology, Surveillance Gaps, and Public Health Implications
by Floriana D’Ambrosio, Marta Lomazzi, Michael Moore, Ada Maida, Roberto Ricciardi, Ludovica Munno, Monia Lettieri, Elisabetta De Vito, Walter Ricciardi and Giovanna Elisa Calabrò
Vaccines 2025, 13(5), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13050510 - 12 May 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs), posing a serious threat to vulnerable populations. Although growing evidence highlights its significant impact on older adults, RSV surveillance and data collection remain largely focused on children, underestimating [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs), posing a serious threat to vulnerable populations. Although growing evidence highlights its significant impact on older adults, RSV surveillance and data collection remain largely focused on children, underestimating the burden in older and high-risk adults. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the epidemiological and clinical impact of RSV in older adults in Europe, assess existing surveillance strategies, and identify gaps to guide targeted public health responses. Methods: A two-phase research strategy was adopted. First, a comprehensive review of studies published between 2015–2025 was conducted via PubMed, focusing on the RSV burden in high-risk and elderly populations in Europe. Second, a structured web screening was performed to assess the status of existing RSV surveillance systems, focusing on eight selected European countries. Results: The review reported RSV prevalence rates ranging from 1% to 64.7% among older adults, with a high prevalence of comorbidities that exacerbate disease severity. Hospitalization rates varied between 12.6–55.9%, while mortality ranged from 2.15% to 13%, reaching up to 36% in intensive care settings. Surveillance systems for adult RSV infections across Europe remain limited and fragmented, with only 37.5% (3/8) of analyzed countries having dedicated surveillance for adults. Conclusions: RSV represents a substantial and underrecognized threat to older adults, with significant clinical and healthcare implications. Strengthening surveillance, standardizing data collection, and ensuring equitable access to newly available preventive measures are urgent priorities to reduce the disease burden, protect vulnerable populations, and support resilient health systems against future health challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine)
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36 pages, 3364 KiB  
Review
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A WAidid Consensus Document on New Preventive Options
by Matteo Riccò, Bahaa Abu-Raya, Giancarlo Icardi, Vana Spoulou, David Greenberg, Oana Falup Pecurariu, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Albert Osterhaus, Vittorio Sambri and Susanna Esposito
Vaccines 2024, 12(12), 1317; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12121317 - 25 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4813
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting young infants, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities. Methods: This document, developed as a consensus by an international group of experts affiliated with the World Association of Infectious [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting young infants, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities. Methods: This document, developed as a consensus by an international group of experts affiliated with the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders (WAidid), focuses on recent advancements in RSV prevention, highlighting the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines. Results: Historically, RSV treatment options were limited to supportive care and the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, which required multiple doses. Recent innovations have led to the development of long-acting mAbs, such as nirsevimab, which provide season-long protection with a single dose. Nirsevimab has shown high efficacy in preventing severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants, reducing hospitalizations and ICU admissions. Additionally, new vaccines, such as RSVpreF and RSVpreF3, target older adults and have demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing LRTIs in clinical trials. Maternal vaccination strategies also show promise in providing passive immunity to newborns, protecting them during the most vulnerable early months of life. This document further discusses the global burden of RSV, its economic impact, and the challenges of implementing these preventative strategies in different healthcare settings. Conclusions: The evidence supports the integration of both passive (mAbs) and active (vaccines) immunization approaches as effective tools to mitigate the public health impact of RSV. The combined use of these interventions could substantially reduce RSV-related morbidity and mortality across various age groups and populations, emphasizing the importance of widespread immunization efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine)
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