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Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Need for awareness and immunization against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in India
Medical experts in India are calling for urgent attention to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious but under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five. RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, accounts for ~ 3.6 million hospitalizations and ~ 100,000 deaths in children under five each year globally. India, with the largest birth cohort of ~ 25 million newborns annually, contributes significantly to this burden. The impact is particularly severe during the country's monsoon and early winter months, when neonatal ICUs experience a surge in admissions. Alarmingly, even healthy, full-term infants across all socio-economic backgrounds often require oxygen or ventilator support due to RSV-related complications. Therefore, raising awareness among parents and healthcare professionals about available preventive measures is critical to reducing the disease's toll on young lives. Dr. Vasant M. Khalatkar, Current National President, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), said 'RSV remains a significant threat to infant health, and while hygiene measures like handwashing are essential, they're often not enough—especially for babies under one year. With the recent World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and India enabling access to these solutions, we now have vital tools to protect our youngest. Palivizumab has been available for high-risk infants, offering protection through monthly dosing during the RSV season. Now, with the arrival of Nirsevimab—a single-dose, long-acting antibody that provides season-long protection—we're seeing a major advancement. Administered shortly after birth or during routine follow-ups, these preventive options can greatly reduce RSV-related hospitalizations and shield infants from serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Prevention, timely awareness, and parental engagement are critical to reducing RSV's impact across India.' Dr. Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical International Region, Sanofi, commented 'We have long been working to close critical gaps in prevention by advancing science-driven solutions that align with evolving global recommendations, including those from the WHO. Addressing RSV burden in India with advanced preventive care is the need of the hour. Strengthening awareness, improving access to protective interventions, and enabling timely immunization are essential steps in reducing the impact of RSV and safeguarding the health of future generations.' Dr. Bhavesh Kotak, Head, Medical Affairs, Dr. Reddy's, added 'India bears a significant share of the global RSV burden. Unlike high-income countries with advanced prevention care and early access to preventive solution, India still faces challenges in timely diagnosis and protection. Increased awareness around the severity of RSV and enabled access to ground-breaking immunization solutions will be critical in building a more equitable and effective national response to RSV.' In April 2025, Sanofi and Dr. Reddy's announced the expansion of their partnership to bring to India a novel, single-dose preventive immunization developed to protect infants from RSV-related complications. Caregivers or parents are advised to speak with their pediatricians / neonatologist for more details.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
RSV causes most infant respiratory infections but is rarely reported in India say experts
Representative Image BENGALURU: Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes nearly two-thirds of respiratory infections in infants, very few cases are reported in India, according to paediatric experts. This is despite RSV being a notifiable disease for decades, they say. 'Many hospitals don't test for RSV unless there's a major outbreak,' said Dr Vasant M Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. He pointed to 2,360 reported child deaths in 2024 from just a few cities—Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai—as just 'the tip of the iceberg.' At a medical roundtable on Tuesday in the city, doctors emphasised that almost every child contracts RSV by the age of two. RSV is an airborne viral infection that spreads through droplets and impacts the lungs when severe. It starts with a sniffle, some cold, and in three days could turn worse, requiring hospitalisation. While many recover easily, there's no way to predict which child might fall seriously ill, developing pneumonia or bronchiolitis, said doctors. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru 'RSV starts with symptoms like a common cold but can turn into a severe lung infection within just three days,' explained Dr Bhavesh Kotak, Head of Medical Affairs at Dr Reddy's. Citing WHO data, he said RSV causes 63% of acute respiratory infections in young children globally. Experts said natural immunity passed from the mother helps in the early days after birth. 'Respiratory protection from the placenta lasts only about a month. Breastfeeding helps with digestive immunity,' said Dr Cesar Mascarenas of Sanofi. That's why doctors say vaccination could play a crucial role in protecting babies, especially in the first six months. A Lancet study, Dr Kotak explained, found that out of 12.9 million cases of RSV-related lower respiratory infections globally, 3.6 million infants needed hospital care, and over 1 lakh (101,000) babies died. Despite the scale of the problem, routine testing and awareness around RSV remain low in India, said experts.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Need for awareness and immunization against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in India
Bengaluru: Medical experts in India are calling for urgent attention to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious but under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five. RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, accounts for ~ 3.6 million hospitalizations and ~ 100,000 deaths in children under five each year globally. India, with the largest birth cohort of ~ 25 million newborns annually, contributes significantly to this burden. The impact is particularly severe during the country's monsoon and early winter months, when neonatal ICUs experience a surge in admissions. Alarmingly, even healthy, full-term infants across all socio-economic backgrounds often require oxygen or ventilator support due to RSV-related complications. Therefore, raising awareness among parents and healthcare professionals about available preventive measures is critical to reducing the disease's toll on young lives. Dr. Vasant M. Khalatkar, Current National President, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), said 'RSV remains a significant threat to infant health, and while hygiene measures like handwashing are essential, they're often not enough—especially for babies under one year. With the recent World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and India enabling access to these solutions, we now have vital tools to protect our youngest. Palivizumab has been available for high-risk infants, offering protection through monthly dosing during the RSV season. Now, with the arrival of Nirsevimab—a single-dose, long-acting antibody that provides season-long protection—we're seeing a major advancement. Administered shortly after birth or during routine follow-ups, these preventive options can greatly reduce RSV-related hospitalizations and shield infants from serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Prevention, timely awareness, and parental engagement are critical to reducing RSV's impact across India.' Dr. Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical International Region, Sanofi, commented 'We have long been working to close critical gaps in prevention by advancing science-driven solutions that align with evolving global recommendations, including those from the WHO. Addressing RSV burden in India with advanced preventive care is the need of the hour. Strengthening awareness, improving access to protective interventions, and enabling timely immunization are essential steps in reducing the impact of RSV and safeguarding the health of future generations.' Dr. Bhavesh Kotak, Head, Medical Affairs, Dr. Reddy's, added 'India bears a significant share of the global RSV burden. Unlike high-income countries with advanced prevention care and early access to preventive solution, India still faces challenges in timely diagnosis and protection. Increased awareness around the severity of RSV and enabled access to ground-breaking immunization solutions will be critical in building a more equitable and effective national response to RSV.' In April 2025, Sanofi and Dr. Reddy's announced the expansion of their partnership to bring to India a novel, single-dose preventive immunization developed to protect infants from RSV-related complications. Caregivers or parents are advised to speak with their pediatricians / neonatologist for more details.
India Today
16-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Why RSV prevention for infants is still years away in India
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common but potentially serious infection among infants, is emerging as a growing concern in India, especially during the post-monsoon and winter global health agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) have begun recommending maternal RSV vaccination to protect newborns, India is still in the early stages of evaluating and adopting preventive strategies."RSV is one of the leading causes of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children globally, and in India too. Studies from Indian tertiary centres show that RSV accounts for 30–50% of bronchiolitis and pneumonia cases in children under two. The highest risk is among infants below six months, those born prematurely or with underlying conditions," said Dr. Shreya Dubey, consultant, neonatology and paediatrics, CK Birla Hospital, Dr. Rahul Sharma, additional director, pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Noida, echoed this. "An estimated 2–3 million pneumonia cases in India annually are linked to RSV, with many requiring hospitalisation, especially among children under five," he WHO's recent endorsement of RSV vaccination during pregnancy aims to protect newborns through passive India is still reviewing its inclusion in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). "Bodies like the Indian Academy of Pediatrics are assessing the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness for Indian settings. If introduced, it may first be rolled out to high-risk groups in private or corporate hospitals,' Dr. Dubey antibodies such as Nirsevimab, which can prevent severe RSV infection with a single dose, have shown promising results. But cost is a major concern. 'Currently, one dose of monoclonal antibody treatment could cost between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000. Without government subsidies or insurance coverage, it will remain out of reach for many Indian families," said Dr. Dubey stressed the need for differential pricing and public health integration. 'Government partnerships, local manufacturing, and inclusion under public health schemes will be crucial for equitable access," she pharmaceutical giants like Bharat Biotech and the Serum Institute of India have already initiated RSV vaccine research. Collaborations with global pharma companies could also help manufacture monoclonal antibodies locally, significantly lowering costs."India has a strong vaccine manufacturing ecosystem. This positions us to become a regional hub for RSV prevention," Dr. Dubey the timeline for availability remains uncertain. The doctors estimate it may take another 2 to 4 years for widespread access, depending on regulatory clearances and production scale."Maternal vaccines could come earlier in select hospitals. Monoclonal antibody therapies might begin with pilot programs for high-risk groups in the next year or two," added Dr. prevention in India is clearly gaining momentum, with strong clinical evidence and global precedents.'The groundwork is there,' said Dr. Sharma. 'Now it's about making sure the solution is accessible, not just available.'
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Docs warn about risk of diseases among children
Kochi: With schools set to reopen next week and a change in climate due to early rains , doctors warn that there will be a spread of infectious diseases , waterborne diseases , fungal infections and dengue. Doctors have warned that children and the vulnerable need to be careful. Health experts said schools need to undertake mosquito control measures on the campus to ensure that schools don't become a hub of dengue spread and to ensure supply of uncontaminated drinking water. Also, school authorities and parents need to ensure that children with fever don't come to school and spread it to other children. "We will be sending a monsoon advisory to schools soon," said IMA-Kerala research cell chairman Dr Rajeev Jayadevan. Small children are the most vulnerable as they don't have exposure to most of the pathogens. When they go to school and mingle with others, their risk of infection increases. According to experts, it is normal for a child to fall sick due to viral infection around seven to eight times a year, till the age of seven. They said that Covid-19 pandemic had a wide-ranging impact on children's health and staying at home for two long years took a toll on their immunity. In schools and other playing areas, kids are exposed to various allergens such as pollen, dust, weed and viral infections, among others, and this manifests as, for instance, allergic cough. "These are public health-related issues mostly because of failure to ensure proper cleanliness and hygiene. Lack of pre-monsoon preparedness is also a concern," said Indian Academy of Pediatrics former national president Dr S Sachidananda Kamath.
