Background
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections and hospitalization in infants and young children. New preventive tools – such as RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies – are now available and have been introduced in several high and upper-middle income countries.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommends two approaches to protect young infants: a single dose of the RSV maternal vaccine in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and direct administration of a long-acting monoclonal antibody to the infant.
With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO has been leveraging the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) to integrate RSV surveillance. This effort aims to improve understanding of RSV epidemiology and disease burden, and to inform vaccine and other intervention policies. WHO standards and implementation guidance for integrated surveillance of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV - an update was published in December 2024.
The objective of this meeting is to strengthen RSV surveillance and disease burden estimation in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa and South/Southeast Asia. This work contributes to WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW 14, output 5.2), supporting preparedness, readiness, and resilience for health emergencies.
Scope and Objectives
The primary objective of this meeting is to strengthen RSV surveillance and disease burden estimation in LLMICs in sub-Saharan Africa and South/Southeast Asia, with the aim of generating local evidence to support national policy-making on the introduction and use of RSV prevention products.
Specific objectives are to:
- Familiarize participants with the WHO standards and operational considerations for RSV surveillance;
- Develop national protocols and workplans for RSV surveillance and disease burden estimation;
- Introduce and review tools for surveillance and disease burden estimation; and
- Establish a WHO-led Community of Practice to support ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing on RSV.
Expected Outcomes
- National protocols and workplan development for integrated RSV surveillance and disease burden estimation.
- A WHO-led Community of Practice established to support continued collaboration and knowledge exchange on RSV.
Outline of the Agenda
The agenda is structured into four discrete 3-hour virtual sessions held over one week.
- Plenary sessions will review the implementation considerations for RSV surveillance, use of surveillance tools, and discussions on data quality, sharing, and analysis.
- Interactive group sessions will support the development of national protocols and work plans.
- The final session will summarize key outcomes and outline next steps.
Participants
The meeting will bring together:
- National focal points (laboratory, surveillance and data) from countries participating in RSV surveillance
- Representatives from RSV reference laboratories
- Key partners and other interested stakeholders
Note: For Fiji and Solomon Islands, the virtual meeting will be held from 29 September to 1 October 2025.