Bangkok, June 2, 2025 – A newborn has become the first infant in Southeast Asia and India to be immunized against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), signaling a significant step forward in preventing a disease that severely impacts infant health across the region.
The immunization, delivered ahead of the annual monsoon-linked RSV season, is part of a broader push to offer protection to all infants against the virus. RSV remains one of the leading causes of lower respiratory tract infections in children globally, responsible for approximately 3.6 million hospitalizations and 160,000 deaths each year among children under the age of five. Most children will encounter the virus within their first two years, with infants under 12 months facing the highest risk of severe illness.
Health experts warn that both full-term and preterm infants are especially vulnerable. RSV is currently the most common cause of hospitalization among babies under one year old, highlighting the importance of timely immunization.
According to clinical guidelines issued by the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand (RCPedT), a single dose of the long-acting monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab is recommended for all healthy infants under eight months of age. For infants aged eight to twelve months who are still at risk, immunization is also advised before the onset of RSV outbreaks, which typically occur between June and October.
Professor Somsak Lohlekha, former president of the RCPedT, emphasized that the rollout of immunization represents a major advance in pediatric care. He noted that reducing RSV-related hospitalizations and fatalities through prevention is key to improving child health outcomes across the region.
With the rainy season approaching and RSV transmission expected to rise, healthcare providers are urging parents to speak with medical professionals about immunization options to help protect their children.
Officials in attendance at the immunization event included leading pediatric specialists and public health representatives, underscoring the significance of the initiative in the broader regional health strategy.
