Heterogeneous reduction in pediatrics RSV hospitalizations following regional nirsevimab immunization strategies: a multicenter study - Scorecard - MDSpire
Clinical Scorecard: Variable Impact of Regional Nirsevimab Vaccination Strategies on RSV Hospitalizations in Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter Analysis
Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody that targets the RSV fusion protein.
Target Population
Nirsevimab primarily targets infants during their first RSV season; children aged 12 to 24 months were eligible only if they met established high-risk criteria.
Care Setting
Nineteen pediatric units across 12 Italian regions
Key Highlights
RSV is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection and hospitalization among infants and young children worldwide.
Nirsevimab was approved in Europe in 2022, authorized in Italy in 2023, and initially implemented in one Italian region during the 2023–2024 season.
During 2024–2025, regional strategies differed in birth month-based eligibility criteria and campaign timing, affecting the proportion of infants eligible for protection.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
At participating centers, RSV was routinely diagnosed through PCR-based molecular testing of respiratory specimens.
Management
Nirsevimab is administered during the RSV epidemic season, which typically extends from October 1 through March 31 in the Northern Hemisphere.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Continued surveillance, harmonized coverage monitoring, and age-specific analyses are needed to assess the effects of nirsevimab implementation.
Risks
The risk of severe RSV disease is highest during the first year of life. Children aged 12 to 24 months were eligible only if they met established high-risk criteria previously used for palivizumab prophylaxis.
Patient & Prescribing Data
The study included RSV-related hospitalizations among patients younger than 18 years, regardless of nirsevimab eligibility. Regional implementation differed, and individual immunization status and actual regional or center-level uptake were unavailable.
Clinical Best Practices
Align nirsevimab rollout with RSV seasonality and implement campaigns in a timely and equitable manner.
Use harmonized coverage monitoring and age-specific surveillance to inform future RSV prevention policies.
Related Resources & Content
Study: “Heterogeneous reduction in pediatrics RSV hospitalizations following regional nirsevimab immunization strategies: a multicenter study” — Federica Attaianese, Sandra Trapani, and colleagues; International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 171 (2026), article 109076; accepted August 23, 2026.
Phoenix Children’s today announced the appointment of Joshua D. Koch, MD, as Senior Vice President, Hospital Based In Chief, a newly established executive physician leadership role created to strengthen coordination across the health system’s hospital-based clinical services.
