Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection and hospitalisation for respiratory illness in children under 5 years of age worldwide.

Seasonal RSV infection and its consequences (such as bronchiolitis) place considerable burden on healthcare systems, including in France, emphasising the importance of strategies to reduce RSV transmission, such as efficient epidemiology tracking to anticipate and plan healthcare resources.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions have been shown to reduce transmission and associated hospitalisations and intensive care admissions.

Pharmaceutical approaches to prevent RSV infection include passive immunisation via maternal vaccination or administration of long-acting monoclonal antibodies at birth (or soon after), and active immunisation of infants.

The implementation of national RSV surveillance programs combined with parent education regarding the importance of reducing RSV transmission, and a routine RSV primary prevention program (incorporating immunisation strategies) will assist in reducing the impact of RSV infection on the French healthcare system.