WHAT FORM OF RSV PREVENTION DO WOMEN IN ASIA PREFER: MATERNAL VACCINATION OR INFANT IMMUNIZATION?
Author(s)
Diana Mendes, PhD1, Rengina Kefalogianni, MSc1, Amy Law, PharmD, MS2.
1Pfizer Ltd., Tadworth, United Kingdom, 2Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA.
1Pfizer Ltd., Tadworth, United Kingdom, 2Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Two immunisation methods have recently been approved in several countries in East and West Asia to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): maternal vaccination and direct infant immunisation. This study evaluates women’s knowledge of RSV, preferences for and attitudes towards RSV prevention to inform potential immunisation uptake in these countries.
METHODS: A multi-national, cross-sectional survey (IPSOS syndicated RSV study) was conducted in 2024 (in Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand) and 2025 (in Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan). Participants were adult women who were pregnant, trying to conceive, or who had recently given birth (<12 months). The participants’ knowledge of RSV, attitudes towards RSV immunisation, and preferences for RSV prevention were reported descriptively.
RESULTS: Among 610 respondents, familiarity with RSV across 2024 and 2025 ranged 56-58%; lower than for other respiratory conditions (COVID-19: 91-95%; flu: 90-92%). Among those who were pregnant or trying to conceive, approximately 1/3 of respondents recognised premature birth (<32 weeks) and infant aged ≤6 months as risk factors for severe RSV disease. In the same group, 67-69% reported that they were likely to receive the maternal RSV vaccine during pregnancy if recommended by their healthcare provider. Overall, 84-85% expressed a preference for any RSV prevention strategy to protect their infant, of which, 56-67% preferred maternal vaccination over direct infant immunisation. The most influential drivers of vaccine uptake reported were efficacy-related (64-67%), safety-related (67-71%), immediate protection of infant against RSV at birth (44-45%), and healthcare professional recommendation (41-47%).
CONCLUSIONS: Women in Asia express willingness for RSV prevention with the majority reporting preference for maternal vaccination over direct infant immunisation. However, familiarity with and knowledge of RSV are low. A successful immunisation programme requires more education on RSV for pregnant women and those trying to conceive, access to women’s preferred methods of RSV prevention, and proactive counselling by healthcare providers.
METHODS: A multi-national, cross-sectional survey (IPSOS syndicated RSV study) was conducted in 2024 (in Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand) and 2025 (in Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan). Participants were adult women who were pregnant, trying to conceive, or who had recently given birth (<12 months). The participants’ knowledge of RSV, attitudes towards RSV immunisation, and preferences for RSV prevention were reported descriptively.
RESULTS: Among 610 respondents, familiarity with RSV across 2024 and 2025 ranged 56-58%; lower than for other respiratory conditions (COVID-19: 91-95%; flu: 90-92%). Among those who were pregnant or trying to conceive, approximately 1/3 of respondents recognised premature birth (<32 weeks) and infant aged ≤6 months as risk factors for severe RSV disease. In the same group, 67-69% reported that they were likely to receive the maternal RSV vaccine during pregnancy if recommended by their healthcare provider. Overall, 84-85% expressed a preference for any RSV prevention strategy to protect their infant, of which, 56-67% preferred maternal vaccination over direct infant immunisation. The most influential drivers of vaccine uptake reported were efficacy-related (64-67%), safety-related (67-71%), immediate protection of infant against RSV at birth (44-45%), and healthcare professional recommendation (41-47%).
CONCLUSIONS: Women in Asia express willingness for RSV prevention with the majority reporting preference for maternal vaccination over direct infant immunisation. However, familiarity with and knowledge of RSV are low. A successful immunisation programme requires more education on RSV for pregnant women and those trying to conceive, access to women’s preferred methods of RSV prevention, and proactive counselling by healthcare providers.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH151
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Policy & Regulatory, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Pediatrics, Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory), Vaccines