Economic Burden of RSV Infections in Children Requiring Primary Care Across Europe

Recent research published in Eurosurveillance highlights the substantial economic impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among children in Europe, especially those treated in primary care settings. The study analyzed data from 3,414 children under five years old across Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK during the 2020-2023 RSV seasons. Findings revealed that RSV infections lead to significant costs related to outpatient healthcare and parental work absences, with considerable variation between countries.

Most children with RSV are managed in primary care, and although these cases often entail lower individual health care expenses compared to hospitalization, their cumulative economic burden remains high. Primary care visits per child ranged from 1.4 in the Netherlands to 3.0 in Spain, with hospitalizations occurring in up to 44% of cases depending on the country. The costs associated with outpatient visits were mainly driven by repeated doctor consultations, and parental work absences were a major contributor to overall costs—ranging from EUR 454 in the UK to EUR 994 in Belgium.

Parents missing work to care for sick children accounted for significant economic losses, especially among children aged 1 to 5, while health care costs were higher for infants under 1 year. Medication costs for RSV were relatively minor in comparison to direct and indirect costs like outpatient visits and work absences. Disparities in costs and hospital admission rates reflect differences in healthcare systems, parental leave policies, and care-seeking behaviors across countries.

The study emphasizes the importance of considering these variations when designing RSV immunization strategies, as primary care-treated infections contribute substantially to the total economic burden. These findings are particularly relevant given the recent introduction of RSV vaccines for infants and ongoing development of vaccines for older children. Addressing these economic impacts can aid policymakers in implementing effective prevention measures and optimizing resource allocation.

While the research has limitations, including potential selection bias and the influence of COVID-19, it underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to reduce the societal costs of RSV infections in children.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-rsv-infections-children-requiring-primary.html